City of Tucson's Tobacco 21 Ordinance

Location: County-City Public Works Building, 201 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701

License team customer service email: License@tucsonaz.gov
License team customer service phone: (520) 791-4566 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Taxpayer Assistance Group fax: (520) 791-3114
Mailing Address: City of Tucson License Section, PO Box 27210, Tucson, AZ, 85726-7210

Taxpayer Assistance Group fax: (520) 791-3114

 

Overview

City of Tucson Ordinance 11703 (“Tobacco 21”) became effective as of January 1, 2020, and enforcement of Tobacco 21 began in March 2020. The ordinance made significant changes to the Tucson City Code with respect to the definition and sale of tobacco products.

Highlights of Tobacco 21 include:

  • The definition of “tobacco product” has been expanded to include any product made from tobacco, or that contains nicotine, as well as any component or paraphernalia used in the consumption of products made from tobacco or containing nicotine.
  • Sales of tobacco products are prohibited to anyone under the age of 21. ID checks must be performed for any customer of tobacco products who appears to be under the age of 30.
  • New Tobacco 21 signage is required to be posted in any location where tobacco products are available for purchase. These signs will be provided by the City.
  • Tobacco retailers will need to obtain a retail tobacco sales license every calendar year. A license will be required for each tobacco retail establishment location, and the licenses are not transferrable. Ordinance 11720, passed by the Tucson City Council on January 7, 2020, set the annual fee at $300. The fee is not prorated.

Tobacco Retail Establishments are regulated in Chapter 7, Article XIX of the Tucson City Code.  Definitions and requirements can be found there. 

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