Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and Arizona Senate Bill 1009 (ARS section 36-798.03) bar Maricopa County 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. Maricopa County retailers must check government-issued photo identification for any buyer who appears younger than twenty-seven, post required age signage, and bar self-service displays of vapor products. The Arizona Department of Health Services and the FDA conduct undercover compliance checks across the county; repeat violations can suspend the state ADHS retailer license and trigger civil penalties under ARS section 36-798.03.
Selling tobacco or vapes to a person under twenty-one is a class three misdemeanor under ARS section 36-798.03, plus civil penalties and possible suspension of the ADHS retailer license on repeat offenses.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Surprise, AZ
Amplified music and sound in Surprise must comply with the city's noise ordinance. Amplified sound audible beyond property lines that disturbs neighbors is p...
Surprise, AZ
Excessive barking dogs in Surprise are addressed through the city's nuisance provisions and Maricopa County animal control regulations. Dogs that bark contin...
Surprise, AZ
Surprise regulates construction noise through its City Code. Residential construction is generally permitted Monday through Saturday during daytime hours. Su...
Surprise, AZ
Surprise is near Luke Air Force Base, which generates significant military jet noise. The city has no authority over military flight operations but maintains...
Surprise, AZ
Surprise does not experience snow and has no space saving or dibs system for parking. The desert climate eliminates the need for shoveled-out parking spot re...
Surprise, AZ
Surprise prohibits abandoned, inoperable, or junk vehicles on public streets and visible on private property. Vehicles without current registration or that a...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle tobacco age restrictions.
See how Surprise's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.