After an unanimous vote, the City of Tempe City Council voted to raise the age a person can purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old.

Following a public discussion Thursday evening, the city council voted to change the law and increase the age one can obtain tobacco products in Tempe in hopes of keeping the potentially dangerous and addictive products out of the hands of young people.

The change also established fines and fees to retailers are not in compliance. Retail stores could be fined for the first three offenses, and then have their license suspended if the unlawful sale of tobacco continues if they sell to buyers under 21.

The Centers for Disease Control has reported that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. A CDC prevention study found that 14.1% of high schoolers have used e-cigarettes along with 3.3% of middle schoolers.

This vote says that the city council stands with the Tempe parents and organizations who brought their concerns to the council that young people are susceptible to how addictive tobacco products can be.

Arizona is one of ten states that does not have a statewide tobacco licensing registry, meaning retailer stores that continue to sell tobacco products can keep selling their products even after known violations for selling to minors are repeated.

The new age restriction will go into effect next year on May 1, 2024.