§ 39-17-1502 — Purpose and intent

(a) The purpose of this part is to reduce the access of persons under twenty-one (21) years of age to tobacco products by strengthening existing prohibitions against the sale and distribution of tobacco products and prohibiting the purchase or receipt of tobacco products by such persons, limiting the sale of tobacco products through vending machines, restricting the distribution of tobacco product samples, prohibiting the sale of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products other than in unopened packages, and random, unannounced inspections of locations where tobacco products are sold or distributed, providing for the report required to be submitted to the United States department of health and human services pursuant to Section 1926 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. § 300x-26 ), and ensuring uniform regulations with respect to tobacco products within this state. (b) The purpose of this part is also to prohibit the sale or distribution of vapor products to, or purchase of vapor products on behalf of, persons under twenty-one (21) years of age. (c) The purpose of this part is also to prohibit the sale or distribution of smoking hemp products to, or purchase of smoking hemp products on behalf of, persons under twenty-one (21) years of age. (d) The purpose of this part is also to prohibit the sale or distribution of smokeless nicotine products to, or purchase of smokeless nicotine products on behalf of, persons under twenty-one (21) years of age. (e) It is the intent of the general assembly that this part be equitably enforced so as to ensure the eligibility for and receipt of any federal funds or grants that this state now receives or may receive relating to this part.

Legislative History

Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 810, s 1, eff. 4/8/2022. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 303, s 3, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 353, s 2, eff. 7/1/2015. Acts 1994, ch. 872, § 2; 2011 , ch. 501, § 2.