Tempe sets City Council vote on raising smoking age to 21
Download mp3 (1.19 MB)Tempe has released key dates this month when the public can share views on whether to raise the age to legally buy tobacco.
Doing so would mean the city would adopt a policy similar to Flagstaff and Tucson.
Tempe’s first public hearing on whether to make 21 the legal age to buy tobacco is scheduled for Thursday night.
A second public hearing and a City Council vote on the proposed ordinance are scheduled for Oct. 26.
Officials say the ordinance would establish a city registry of stores that sell tobacco.
The registry would be financed by license fees paid yearly by retailers.
Those caught selling tobacco to underage people would face fines and temporary license suspensions.
Four-time offenders would have their license revoked.
Flavored tobacco products would not be banned by the ordinance.
