Phoenix has no separate local tobacco retail license. Retailers operate under the Arizona Department of Health Services tobacco distribution license and Arizona Department of Revenue luxury tax license, plus Phoenix Chapter 39 smoking restrictions. Tobacco 21 federal law applies citywide.
Unlike many California cities, Phoenix has not adopted a stand-alone Tobacco Retail License (TRL) ordinance. Retailers obtain the Arizona Department of Revenue tobacco distributor license under ARS §42-3401 and pay state luxury taxes. Vape and e-cigarette retailers register with the FDA under federal Tobacco 21 (21 U.S.C. §387f), which sets the minimum sale age at 21. Arizona ARS §41-2316 also bars sales to anyone under 21. Phoenix City Code Chapter 39 (the Smoke-Free Phoenix Ordinance and related sections) governs where tobacco can be used, not sold, but retailers must still post age-verification signage. Arizona preempts local flavored-tobacco bans under ARS §36-798.06 (2022).
Selling tobacco without a state distributor license is a Class 2 misdemeanor under ARS §42-3461, with fines up to $750 and license revocation. Sales to minors trigger civil penalties of $300 to $1,000 under ARS §41-2316.
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Phoenix, AZ
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Phoenix, AZ
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Phoenix, AZ
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Phoenix, AZ
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Phoenix, AZ
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