Tempe City Council approved an amendment to city code that creates a tobacco sales licensing program, enacts fees to ensure compliance and raises the minimum age of purchase of tobacco products to 21.

The amended code will go into effect May 1, 2024, to allow tobacco retailers sufficient time to meet the training requirements of the license. Two public hearings were held for the proposal at the Regular Council Meetings on Oct. 12 and 26.

In order to apply for a license, retailers must show proof of completing the Arizona Retail Tobacco Training, which is currently offered by the Tobacco Enforcement Unit of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. The annual license fee is $300, and fees and penalties will go toward administration of the ordinance. The Tempe Police Department will investigate any complaints, as well as conduct compliance checks alongside the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

If found selling to minors, retailers will face the following penalties:

• First violation: $500 and the agent of the tobacco retailer must attend an Arizona retail tobacco training class
• Second violation: $750 and the tobacco retailer is prohibited from selling tobacco products for 7 days
• Third violation:  $1,000 and the tobacco retailer is prohibited from selling tobacco products for 30 days
• Fourth violation: $1,000 and license revocation

With this passage, Tempe joins several other Arizona cities, such as Tucson and Flagstaff, that have passed retail tobacco licensing ordinances and raised the minimum age to 21 in alignment with federal legislation signed into law in 2019. 
 
The ordinance was brought forward by Tempe City Council’s Human Services and Community Safety Committee, which was chaired by Councilmembers Doreen Garlid and Joel Navarro. Two rounds of public input were held over the last year to gather feedback about the policies. 

Anyone who possesses information about a licensed retailer selling to minors can submit anonymous crime tips to the Tempe Police Department through Citizen Observer, an online tip service. To report a crime, contact Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311. In case of an emergency, dial 911.

For questions regarding the license program, contact Tempe Tax & License at license@tempe.gov.