Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and Arizona Senate Bill 1009 (ARS section 36-798.03) bar Phoenix retailers from selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product to anyone under twenty-one. Photo ID is mandatory for buyers appearing under twenty-seven.
Federal Tobacco 21 raised the national minimum tobacco sales age to twenty-one in December 2019. Arizona codified the same age in 2020 through Senate Bill 1009, amending ARS sections 36-798 and 36-798.03 to cover cigarettes, cigars, hookah, smokeless tobacco, and vapor products including disposable e-cigs. Phoenix City Code section 39-3 mirrors the rule and adds local enforcement. Retailers must check government-issued photo identification for any buyer who appears younger than twenty-seven, post the required age signage, and bar self-service displays. The Arizona Department of Health Services and FDA conduct undercover compliance checks; repeat violations can suspend the city business license under Code chapter 10.
Selling tobacco or vapes to a person under twenty-one is a class three misdemeanor under ARS section 36-798.03 and Phoenix City Code section 39-9, plus civil penalties and possible city license suspension on repeat offenses.
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