Ord 618 N.S. Regulation of Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products at or near City Facilities 04 08 25

City of Tolleson — City Council (2025-04-08)

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ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
 
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF TOLLESON, ARIZONA, 
AMENDING THE CODE OF TOLLESON, ARIZONA, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2 
ADMINISTRATION BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 2-10 REGULATION OF SMOKING 
AND USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AT OR NEAR CITY FACILITIES; PROVIDING FOR 
REPEAL 
OF 
CONFLICTING 
ORDINANCES; 
PROVIDING 
AUTHORIZATION; 
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; AND SETTING AN 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1, 2025. 
 
WHEREAS, the Smoke-free Arizona Act (A.R.S. § 36-601.01) (the “Act”) permits political 
subdivisions of the state to adopt ordinances or regulations that are more restrictive than as 
provided by the Act; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Act does not define “tobacco products” and also uses the term “lighted” 
when referring to tobacco products. Therefore, the Act does not directly regulate use of smoke-
free tobacco or e-cigarettes; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the 
Arizona State University Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center conducted a study in 2014, 
which made the following findings: 
 
• Secondhand smoke concentrations in outdoor areas can reach similar levels as those 
found indoors.  
• Tobacco litter makes up more than one-third of all visible litter and 25-50% of all litter 
collected from streets and roadways and can cost cities between $0.5 million and $6.5 
million dollars.  
• More than 9 in 10 Arizonans agree that secondhand smoke is harmful.  
 
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that, even at a possible distance of up to 20 feet from 
a person actively smoking, toxicity levels can reach those similar to indoor smoking levels; and  
 
WHEREAS, there is no risk-free level of contact with secondhand smoke; even brief 
exposure can be harmful to health, especially in children causing ear infections, more frequent 
and severe asthma attacks, respiratory symptoms (e.g., coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath), 
respiratory infections (i.e., bronchitis, pneumonia) and a greater risk for sudden infant death 
syndrome (SIDS); and  
 
WHEREAS, cigarettes and secondhand smoke contain more than 7,000 chemicals, 
including 69 known or suspected carcinogens such as formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic 
aromatic hydrocarbons, which can damage DNA and lead to mutations that promote cancer; and  
 
WHEREAS, tobacco litter is the most common form of litter, and cigarette butts can take 
up to ten years to decompose; and

CITY OF TOLLESON ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
APRIL 8, 2025 
PAGE 2 
 
 
WHEREAS, the chemicals from discarded cigarette butts pollute the land, lakes and 
waterways and can be ingested by children, animals, fish and birds; and  
 
WHEREAS, the City of Tolleson City Council has determined that smoking or other use of 
tobacco or any plant is a danger to the health and a material annoyance, inconvenience, 
discomfort and a health hazard to those who are present; and 
 
WHEREAS, that certain document known as the “The City of Tolleson Regulation of 
Smoking and Tobacco Products At or Near City Facilities,” of which at least three (3) paper copies 
or one (1) paper copy and one (1) electronic copy are on file with the City Clerk for the City of 
Tolleson in compliance with A.R.S. § 9-802, as amended, is hereby declared a public record and 
at all times shall be kept available for public use and inspection; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council find that it is in the best interest of the City of Tolleson 
to prohibit smoking in and near City facilities in a continued effort to protect the public health 
and welfare; and 
 
WHEREAS, to maintain and serve the public health and safety of City personnel and 
persons visiting City facilities and to ensure that these valuable resources can be enjoyed by all 
Tolleson residents and visitors alike, the purpose of this ordinance is to restrict the smoking or 
other use of tobacco or any plant in and near City facilities. 
 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 
TOLLESON, ARIZONA, as follows:  
 
Section 1.  The above recitals are hereby incorporated as if fully set forth herein. 
 
Section 2.  The City of Tolleson City Code is hereby amended by amending Chapter 2 
Administration by adding a new Article 2-10 Regulation of Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products 
At or Near City Facilities for the regulating of smoking and use of tobacco products at or near 
City facilities, to read as set forth in that certain document entitled, “The City of Tolleson 
Regulation of Smoking and Tobacco Products At or Near City Facilities,” which document is 
hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as set forth in Exhibit A. 
 
Section 3. 
Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances.   
 
All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are 
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. 
 
Section 4. 
Severability.

CITY OF TOLLESON ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
APRIL 8, 2025 
PAGE 3 
 
 
If any provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held by any court of competent 
jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provision or portion hereof shall be deemed separate, 
distinct, and independent of all other provisions and such holding shall not affect the validity of 
the remaining portions of this Ordinance. 
 
Section 5. 
Authorization.   
 
The Mayor, City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed 
to take all steps and to execute all documents necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of 
this Ordinance. 
 
Section 6.   
Providing for Severability.   
If any provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held by any court of competent 
jurisdiction to be unenforceable, such provision or portion hereof shall be deemed separate, 
distinct, and independent of all other provisions and such holding shall not affect the validity of 
the remaining portions of this Ordinance.  
Section 7. 
Providing for Penalties. 
 
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be liable for the imposition 
of a civil sanction not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense and not to exceed 
fifty dollars ($50.00) for each successive offense. Each day a violation of this chapter continues 
after a citation for the violation has been issued constitutes a separate violation. 
 
 
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and Council of the City of Tolleson, Arizona 
this 8th day of April, 2025. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Juan F. Rodriguez, Mayor 
 
 
ATTEST:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crystal Zamora, City Clerk 
 
 
APPROVED AS TO FORM:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Justin Pierce, City Attorney

CITY OF TOLLESON ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
APRIL 8, 2025 
PAGE 4 
 
 
EXHIBIT A 
TO 
ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
 
[Regulation of Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products At or Near City Facilities] 
 
See following pages.

CITY OF TOLLESON ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
APRIL 8, 2025 
PAGE 5 
 
 
 
ARTICLE 2-10: – REGULATION OF SMOKING AND USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AT OR 
NEAR CITY FACILITIES 
 
§ 2-10-1 – PURPOSE. 
 
Since the smoking or use of tobacco products or any plant is a danger to the health and a 
material annoyance, inconvenience, discomfort and a health hazard to those who are 
present or nearby such smoking or use, tobacco litter is the most common form of litter, 
cigarette butts can take up to ten (10) years to decompose, the chemicals from discarded 
cigarette butts pollute the land, lakes and waterways and can be ingested by children, 
animals, fish and birds, and in order to serve the public health, safety and welfare, the 
declared purpose of this chapter is to restrict smoking and the use of tobacco or any plant 
products in or near city facilities, city property and city parks. 
 
§ 2-10 – DEFINITIONS. 
 
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this 
chapter: 
 
CITY FACILITY means any property, structure, vehicle or craft that is owned, leased or 
operated by the city. 
 
CITY PERSONNEL means any person who is employed by the City, and any volunteer, 
elected official, appointed official or other person who provides services or time on a paid 
or volunteer basis to the City. 
 
DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA means any area outdoors, which is outside of any enclosed 
public place and removed from building entrances and exits. Any designated smoking area 
must be so situated as to allow nonsmoking individuals to conduct normal activity in a 
smoke-free environment. 
 
ENCLOSED PLACE means any area closed in by a roof and walls with openings for ingress 
and egress that is available to and customarily used by City Personnel or the public. 
 
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT means any enclosed area under the control of the City of 
Tolleson that is available to and customarily used by city personnel. 
 
PARK means all lands and water acquired by or controlled by the city for park, open space 
amenity or recreational purposes, including privately or publicly owned lands, the use of 
which has been granted to and accepted by the city for park, open space amenity, or 
recreational purposes.

CITY OF TOLLESON ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
APRIL 8, 2025 
PAGE 6 
 
 
 
SMOKE, SMOKING OR USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCT means: 
 
(A) 
Carrying or placing of a lighted tobacco product or other plant material or 
substance in one’s mouth for the purpose of inhaling and exhaling smoke; 
 
(B) 
Placing of a lighted tobacco product or any other lighted tobacco product, smoking 
equipment in an ashtray or other receptacle, and allowing tobacco product smoke to 
diffuse in the air; 
 
(C) 
Carrying or placing of a lighted tobacco product in one’s hands or any appendage 
or devices and allowing smoke to diffuse in the air; or 
 
(D) 
Inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic device that can be used 
to deliver nicotine or other substances to a person, including, but not limited to, an 
electronic or vaping cigarette, equipment, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe; or 
 
(E) 
Use of a smokeless Tabacco Product, including dip, snuff, snus or chewing tobacco. 
 
TOBACCO PRODUCT means any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended 
for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco 
product. 
 
WORK AREA means any areas within a place of employment at the city, which share a 
common ventilation, heating or air conditioning system. 
 
§ 2-10-3– PROHIBITION AND REGULATION OF SMOKING IN CITY FACILITIES. 
 
(A) 
All city facilities, parks, enclosed places, places of employment and work areas 
owned, leased or operated by the city shall be subject to this chapter. 
 
(B) 
Smoking or use of tobacco products is prohibited in or within three hundred (300) 
feet of all city facilities, shared vehicles and enclosed places, places of employment and 
work areas owned, leased or operated by the city. 
 
(C) 
Smoking or use of tobacco products is prohibited in all city parks. The city manager 
or his designee is hereby delegated the authority to designate smoking areas in city parks.  
 
(D) 
The city manager or his designee is hereby delegated the authority to designate 
smoking areas at special events.

CITY OF TOLLESON ORDINANCE NO. 618 N.S. 
APRIL 8, 2025 
PAGE 7 
 
 
(E) 
Notwithstanding Paragraphs (D) and (E), the fire chief or his designee may close 
any designated smoking areas during time periods of high fire danger warnings. 
 
§ 2-10-4 –ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. 
 
(A) 
Citations may be issued for violation of this chapter. 
 
(B) 
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be liable for the 
imposition of a civil sanction not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first 
offense and not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) for each successive offense. Each day a 
violation of this chapter continues after a citation for the violation has been issued 
constitutes a separate violation. 
 
(C) 
The city shall allow payment by mail of civil sanctions under this chapter. 
 
(D) 
By enforcing this chapter, the city undertakes only to promote the general welfare 
and health of the community. It does not assume, nor does it impose on its officers and 
employees an obligation for breach of which it is liable in money damages to any person 
claiming injury from such breach.