Knoxville cannot ban flavored tobacco or menthol cigarettes locally. Tennessee preempts local tobacco regulation under TCA 39-17-1551, leaving any flavor restrictions to state and federal authorities.
Tennessee Code 39-17-1551 preempts local governments from regulating tobacco products beyond what state law permits, including bans on menthol or other flavored tobacco. Knoxville therefore cannot adopt the kinds of flavor restrictions seen in other states and cities. Federal FDA action removed certain flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes from the market, and the FDA has proposed menthol cigarette and flavored cigar rules at the national level. The University of Tennessee, as a state property, maintains a tobacco-free campus policy under separate authority. Knoxville's Office of Sustainability and KCHD provide cessation referrals through the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine.
No local penalties for flavored tobacco sales because regulation is preempted. Federal violations of FDA-removed product orders carry FDA enforcement, including civil money penalties and seizure.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no general City Code ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, garden statues, religious displays, or yard decorations on private residential prope...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no City Code ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must stay within the pr...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no dedicated City Code ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. General electrical safet...
Knoxville, TN
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Knoxville require Plans Review & Inspections permits when they include gas lines, plumbing, electrical work, or structures. Nat...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville treats wood smokers, pellet grills, and other solid-fuel cooking equipment under the 2024 International Fire Code as adopted in City Code Chapter 1...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code under City Code Chapter 11, Article II (Sections 11-21 to 11-22), effective January 2025. IFC Section ...
See how Knoxville's flavored tobacco bans rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.