TUCSON, Ariz. - The Tucson City Council and Pima County Board of Supervisors will be holding meetings on Tuesday, August 6, in which they will vote on raising the sales age of tobacco and nicotine products.
The city and county began working on joint ordinances in August of 2018. They decided to work on the ordinances together so they have the same enforcement and regulations.
"The goal is that Pima County and the City council act at the same time on the same day," said Councilman Paul Durham, who represents Ward 3.
Durham as well as the City Attorney's Office, the City Manager's Office, The Pima County Health Department, Pima County Attorney's Office and County Administration all worked on the ordinances.
If the ordinances are approved the following will go into effect.
- The minimum legal age to purchase tobacco will go from 18 to 21
- A retail permit system will be created for tobacco retailers in unincorporated Pima County and replace the city's existing permit system with a mirror of the county's system
- Include electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes) in the tobacco ordinances
While city and county officials are hopeful both the city council and board of supervisors will approve the ordinances, some are hoping it doesn't happen.
KGUN9 spoke to some spoke shop owners who said they were worried the ordinances would have a negative impact on their business.
"I don't think it's a good idea from a business standpoint because it would take a lot, and on top of that I feel like I mean, 18, they're going to figure out a way to get it, regardless," said Shaun Fischer, a smoke shop employee.
The Pima County board of supervisors are set to meet at 9:30 a.m., and the city council is set to meet at 5:30 p.m.
