Tempe is raising the legal age to buy cigarettes to 21, and retailers will have to pay for an annual license to sell tobacco products.
But some advocates want the City Council to make sure there’s enforcement.
Tempe store owners caught selling tobacco to underage people face progressive discipline via fines, license suspensions and permanent revocation.
But Eryn Streeter with the Arizona chapter of the American Heart Association told the City Council on Thursday night that unannounced compliance checks are also needed.
“We urge this council to commit to checking 100% of retailers annually and to make that commitment happen as soon as possible,” Streeter said.
City Councilmember Doreen Garlid called passing the ordinance a first step and said compliance checks on all Tempe stores that sell tobacco products will not get done the first year.
Tempe joins Flagstaff and Tucson by raising the legal age to buy tobacco to 21.
Tempe resident Floyd Galloway told the City Council that without enforcement to hold retailers accountable the new ordinance is like putting a skeleton in a closet.
“And you’re rattling it and it doesn't scare anybody because it has no meat to it,” Galloway said.
