Tucson is considering joining Cottonwood and Douglas as the only Arizona cities to raise the age of buying tobacco from 18 to 21. City councilmembers backing the move believe that the it will reduce the number of smokers under 21 by 15% and have a produce a more significant reduction in the amount of long-term smokers.

The financial impact of the measure, however, may prove difficult to overcome. In 2014 the Pima County Health Department examined a study that estimated the annual cost of enforcement would be between $250,000 and $300,000, not including vaping and e-cigarette sales.

Furthermore, Tucson generates approximately $40,000 in tobacco retail licenses annually.

Tucson will continue debating the measure on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.