Sedona, Ariz. Rejects Tobacco Purchase Age Increase

Officials of the scenic and tranquil city of Sedona, Ariz. have rejected a proposal to increase the minimum age to purchase, possess and use tobacco products from 18 to 21-years-old.

While the Sedona City Council commended the Yavapai Anti-Tobacco Coalition of Youth for their efforts to raise the minimum age, they ultimately rejected the idea on the grounds that people who are at least 18 years old are adults and thus able and entitled to make their own decisions about whether or not to purchase and use tobacco products. Members of the council also opposed the idea of such a law being determined on a city-by-city basis, with one councilman suggesting that the idea should be changed at the federal level. Issues with enforcement and the merits of prosecuting possession violations were also raised.

While one councilman suggested that the proposed ordinance be modified just to prohibit the purchase of tobacco products by persons under 21, that did not result in any further action being taken. Based on the discussion amongst the councilors, the ordinance was not brought up for a formal vote.

Sedona is located 115 miles north of Phoenix and is home to just over 10,000 residents.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.