Phoenix cannot enforce its own tobacco or vape retailer licensing rules. A.R.S. Section 36-798.08 declares the sale and marketing of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products to be a matter of statewide concern and preempts inconsistent city, town, or county regulation. Retail licensing is handled by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC).
There is no City of Phoenix tobacco or vape retailer license, and the city has no legal authority to enact one. Under A.R.S. Section 36-798.08, the Arizona Legislature has expressly declared that the sale and marketing of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products are of statewide concern, and that the regulation of those activities is not subject to further regulation by a county, city, town, or other political subdivision and preempts all inconsistent local laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, and policies. To sell tobacco or vapor products at retail in Phoenix, a business must hold an Arizona Tobacco Retail License issued by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control under A.R.S. Title 42 (effective January 1, 2023), plus the applicable Arizona Department of Revenue luxury-tax registration. Arizona has also enacted a statewide ban on flavored vapor products other than tobacco and menthol. Narrow exceptions in Section 36-798.08 let Phoenix regulate tobacco/vape use on city-owned, leased, or operated property, adopt lawful zoning that limits where retailers may locate, and regulate outdoor advertising other than on-premise.
Because A.R.S. Section 36-798.08 preempts local regulation of tobacco and vapor product sales and marketing, no City of Phoenix citation can be issued for operating a tobacco or vape retailer without a city license, since no such license exists or can lawfully exist. Retailer licensing, underage sales (under 21), and product compliance are handled by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) and the Arizona Attorney General, with federal flavor and authorization rules enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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