Tennessee raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 in 2021, conforming to federal Tobacco 21 law. Knoxville retailers must verify ID for anyone under 30 and post age signage at registers.
Tennessee Public Chapter 69 of 2021 amended TCA 39-17-1504 to set the minimum age at 21 for sale of tobacco, hemp-derived nicotine, and vapor products. Retailers must check government-issued ID for any purchaser appearing under age 30, refuse sales to anyone under 21 regardless of military status, and post the state-required signage at each point of sale. The Tennessee Department of Revenue and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services conduct compliance checks. Knoxville Police participate in joint underage-buyer operations. Self-service displays of cigarettes and vapor products are restricted to age-verified locations such as adult-only stores.
Selling tobacco or vapor to anyone under 21 brings escalating fines starting at fifty dollars and rising for repeat violations, plus potential license suspension and federal FDA penalties for retailers.
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