A push to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Arizona’s second most populous county failed this week, as the Pima County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to join the Tobacco 21 movement on a number of grounds.
During the board’s meeting on Tuesday, the proposal came under fire for being an infringement on the rights of adults as well an ineffective way to punish retailers who sell to persons under 21, as penalties weren’t assessed until a fourth violation within a 24-month period.
With the county’s rejection of the proposal, the Tucson City Council decided to delay its own proposal, as the city’s willingness to move forward with an increase was dependent on the county approving its version.
Pima County is located in the southeastern part of Arizona and is home to 1.039 million residents, while Tucson’s population is approximately 546,000 residents. It is also home to the University of Arizona.