TN legislation would create license to sell tobacco, vaping products
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State lawmakers introduced a plan this week to crack down on illegal vape sales to kids.
Why it matters: Tennessee is chock full of vape shops, but the industry is loosely regulated.
- Anti-addiction groups and health advocacy organizations say vaping is a gateway to harder drug use and substance abuse.
Friction point: Under the current law, a retailer can be fined if state regulators catch them selling to kids.
- But if the store doesn't pay the fine, there's little the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission can do.
Driving the news: State Sen. Shane Reeves and state Rep. Charlie Baum, both Republicans, are pushing legislation to close the enforcement loophole.
- Reeves and Baum propose requiring retailers that sell tobacco and vape products to get a state license.
- Shops that sell to kids would face fines. A repeat offender could have its license revoked.
The big picture: There are already 41 states that require a similar license.
By the numbers: Tennessee has at least 13,000 tobacco sellers and vape shops, according to an estimate by advocacy groups that back the bill.
What he's saying: "The youth vaping crisis in Tennessee has been going on for too long, and this bill is the natural next step for our state to address it head-on," Reeves said in a statement.
- "This bill creates real accountability, gives the state better oversight, and puts the focus where it belongs, protecting Tennessee's youth."
Zoom out: The proposal has the support of the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, which is a coalition of advocacy groups seeking to combat substance abuse and addiction.
- Health groups, like the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the SmokeFree Tennessee Coalition and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, are also in support.
Threat level: Research released last year suggested kids who vape have the same level of nicotine exposure as their peers who smoke cigarettes.
- Those findings cut against arguments that vaping and e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes and can help smokers quit.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with more information about the groups supporting the crackdown effort.