Glendale City Council recently voted unanimously to raise the legal minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, such as vapes and beedies. The decision follows federal law, which currently prohibits the sale of such items to individuals under 21 years of age.
Mayor Jerry Weiers explained that the purpose of the ordinance was to ensure the city’s law corresponded with the state and federal laws regarding the sale of tobacco products.
“Basically, we’re agreeing with the state and federal government on this,” he said, looking to Deputy City Manager Rick St. John for confirmation. “We’re just getting our language to where everything matches to keep us out of trouble when we prosecute.”
Following the adoption of the new ordinance, retailers that carry products with tobacco and tobacco-related products are required by law to check for valid identification to prove the customer is 21 years old or older.
Individuals who knowingly sell such items to an individual under the age of 21 will be considered guilty of a petty offense. Buying or possessing tobacco products when younger than the legal age will result in a $100 fine or a minimum of 30 hours of community service. Lying about one’s age or using a fake ID to obtain tobacco products will be considered a petty offense and result in a maximum fine of $500.
Additionally, the sale of beedies to an individual who is younger than 21 years of age will result in a Class 3 misdemeanor charge.
Along with the potential consequences and criminal charges associated with tobacco product sales, the ordinance also outlines some exceptions on the age restriction. Within the context of legitimate religious practice, the use of various tobacco products is permitted, as well as if the individual — younger than 21 — received the item as a gift with no intention to use it.
The ordinance outlines explicit definitions for various tobacco and tobacco-related products. According to the ordinance included in the staff document, tobacco products include cigars, cigarettes, cigarette papers, smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco. Beedies (Bidis) is tobacco wrapped in a temburni or tendu leaf, as well as any product marketed and sold as beedies or bidis. Shisha is any mixture of tobacco leaf and honey, molasses, dried fruit or other sweeteners.
Finally, vapor products cover “noncombustible tobacco-derived products containing nicotine that employs a mechanical heating element, battery or circuit — regardless of shape or size — that can be used to heat a liquid nicotine solution contained in cartridges.”
In 2019, former President Joe Biden signed legislation which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and raised the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, countrywide — the Food and Drug Administration produced the final ruling in 2024. Additionally, the Arizona State House of Representatives followed suit — signing the age adjustment into law this year in June, to take effect in September.
Despite action from the federal and state governments, various cities across the valleys have yet to issue an ordinance to change their tobacco product laws. Prior to the Nov. 25 city council meeting, Tempe was the only city to do so and additionally requires retailers to obtain a Tobacco Seller’s License from the city. According to the staff report on the agenda item, the Glendale community benefits when “city code is aligned with federal and state laws — providing clarity and consistency with enforcement.”
Glendale resident and Sounds of Autism Executive Director Jamie Aldama spoke, thanking the counsel and other city leaders and officials for addressing the issue.
“Mayor, we are here to thank you for bringing this to council today and we’re hoping that you would pass this ordinance,” he said. “We know it’s another tool for your police officers to go out an (prohibit) sale of underage vape products to our kids.
“This is an epidemic in the West Valley, in your backyard, and we hope you will consider passing this ordinance.”
