Tennessee raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 under TCA 39-17-1504, aligning with the federal Tobacco 21 law. Memphis retailers must verify ID for anyone appearing under 30 and post age-warning signage.
Tennessee's tobacco and vapor product age restriction is set by TCA 39-17-1504, which prohibits the sale, gift, or distribution of any tobacco product, vapor product, or smoking hemp product to anyone under 21. The state law mirrors federal Tobacco 21, enacted in 2019, and applies to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vape pens, hookah, and Delta-8 vape products. Retailers must verify photo identification for any purchaser who appears to be under 30 and must post conspicuous warning signs at the point of sale. Memphis Police and the Tennessee Department of Revenue conduct compliance checks, including underage decoy operations that can lead to license suspension and fines.
Selling tobacco or vape products to anyone under 21 is a Class A misdemeanor under TCA 39-17-1504, with fines up to $2,500 and possible suspension or revocation of the tobacco retail license.
Memphis, TN
Memphis vape and e-cigarette retailers must hold a Tennessee tobacco retailer license, comply with TCA 39-17-1500 et seq., and follow Memphis-Shelby UDC zoni...
Memphis, TN
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See how Memphis's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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