Provide feedback on a proposed ordinance that aims to curb youth and teen vaping.

Tempe City Council is considering a proposed ordinance to amend Tempe City Code, which would create a requirement for a new tobacco sales license and prohibit the sale of flavored vape products; also to amend Article II, which would define the minimum age for purchase of tobacco products at age 21.

Learn more at tempe.gov/vaping

Background

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 51% of Arizona high school students have tried electronic vaping products. Teens who vape are nearly four times more likely to start smoking cigarettes compared to their non-vaping peers. In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General issued  an advisory warning that e-cigarette use has become an epidemic among youth.

The issue of youth vaping was brought to the city by multiple nonprofits and organizations, including the Tempe Coalition. The Tempe City Council’s Human Services and Community Safety Committee took up the discussion after receiving direction to review this topic from the full Council at a Work Study Session on Nov. 17, 2021.

The committee reviewed research and developed a draft ordinance. At the committee’s meeting on June 24, 2022, Tempe City Councilmembers Doreen Garlid and Joel Navarro recommended the ordinance discussion be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration and public input.

After feedback is gathered and the changes are finalized, state law requires that written notice of the proposed new fee be advertised on the city’s website 60 days prior to its consideration. The City Council will then hold two public hearings before a proposed ordinance would be voted on by the Council. An ordinance could come to the Council for consideration at the beginning of next year.