Tennessee Seeks Stricter Vape Laws & Retail Licenses

Tennessee lawmakers and public health advocates are pushing for further changes to the state’s vape regulations to empower authorities in reducing underage consumption. Following recent legislative updates that introduced a 10% vape tax and empowered the Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct compliance checks, stakeholders are now addressing gaps in enforcement capabilities.

A key issue identified is the lack of a specific license or permit requirement for selling vape products. While current legislation outlines hefty fines for retailers selling to minors—starting at $2,500 for a first offense and escalating to at least $20,000 and loss of licensure for subsequent offenses—enforcement is hampered because no such licensure currently exists. Representative David Hawk, a sponsor of the legislation, noted that state agencies feel they lack clear legal language to enforce these penalties effectively.

Hawk stated the goal for the next legislative session is to clarify the law, likely placing fine enforcement under the Department of Revenue. Despite these hurdles, TABC compliance checks have already revealed a statewide noncompliance rate of 20.8%, highlighting the ongoing issue of youth access.

Stephanie Strutner, CEO of the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, argues that implementing a tobacco retail license is the “perfect next step.” She emphasized that financial disincentives tied to a license—such as suspension or revocation—are proven to drastically improve compliance with underage sales laws nationwide. Lawmakers are expected to consider these proposals to give the state more “firepower” in regulating the vape industry.

• Read more: Tennessee’s New Vape Directory Law Begins August 1st
• News source: Lawmakers, advocates looking at changes to vape laws to give state more firepower

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

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