Share Your Input: Youth Tobacco Use and Access in Pima County
September 18, 2026
Hello Pima County Community,
The Pima County Health Department is launching a community engagement effort to better understand youth commercial tobacco use and access in unincorporated Pima County.
What do we mean by “commercial tobacco?” Commercial tobacco refers to the products, practices, and industries that manufacture, market, and sell tobacco and nicotine products for recreational and habitual use. These mass-produced products sold for profit include cigarettes, cigars, bidis, hookah, smokeless tobacco, e‑cigarettes or vapes, nicotine pouches, and other alternative nicotine products containing natural or synthetic nicotine, including nicotine analogues, intended for human consumption (smoked, vaped, chewed, dissolved, or absorbed). This definition does not include traditional or ceremonial tobacco used by Indigenous communities.
We invite residents, youth, community-based businesses, and retailers to participate by completing a brief survey and joining engagement events throughout September and October. Your input will help us understand what support may help prevent youth access to commercial tobacco and strengthen community health.
More than 300,000 people live in unincorporated Pima County, areas that are part of the County but not within city limits. These communities include Ajo, Why, Lukeville, Arivaca, Three Points, Picture Rocks, Green Valley, Vail, Rincon Foothills, Tanque Verde Valley, Catalina Foothills, Casas Adobes and Catalina.
If you live or work in one of these communities, we especially want to hear from you, and we encourage you to share this announcement with others in your network who may also want to participate. Your input will help Pima County better understand community needs, identify challenges youth may be facing, and learn what support local retailers may also need. Together, this feedback will guide the County’s exploration of future solutions to protect youth from commercial tobacco use and access.
How to Share Your Observations and Thoughts
Take the Community Survey
Youth (ages 12–20), community members, and retailers who sell tobacco or nicotine products are encouraged to participate.
The survey asks about:
- awareness of commercial tobacco and nicotine products
- experiences or observations about youth access and use
- ideas for prevention and community support
- retailer perspectives on challenges and needs
Attend an Engagement Event
In‑Person Community Forums
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Drexel Heights Community Center — Saturday, September 19 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
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Vail – Anne Gibson–Esmond Station Library — Thursday, October 8 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Virtual Events
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Community Forum (Teams Link) — Tuesday, September 22 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
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Retailer‑Only Forum (Teams Link) — Thursday, October 1 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
All sessions are open to the public and designed to support meaningful conversation, questions, and lived experiences.
Why This Matters
Youth access to commercial tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes, e‑cigarettes, pouches, and other alternative nicotine products, remains a concern in many communities. This engagement effort will help us understand local experiences, community challenges, and supports that may help both youth and retailers.
Email us at pre@pima.gov anytime. Your voice matters. Complete the survey, attend an engagement event, and help inform future support for youth and families in Pima County.
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