In an effort to combat the proliferation of illegal vaping products, including e-cigarettes, the Commerce and Labor Committee has passed Senate Bill 763. This legislation aims to enhance age verification processes for the purchase of vaping items and mandates that only those products approved or awaiting approval from the FDA can be marketed within the state of Tennessee. The primary goal of this bill is to protect consumers, particularly minors, from the influx of hazardous and unregulated vaping products that have increasingly entered the market, many of which originate from China.
Tennessee’s previously lenient regulations regarding vaping devices have allowed manufacturers to circumvent tobacco laws, resulting in the introduction of potentially harmful products that target young people. The new legislation is designed to provide a layer of protection for consumers, especially children, against these dangerous vaping products. Senator Joey Hensley has engaged in discussions with numerous juvenile judges who have expressed serious concerns regarding the rising number of young individuals appearing in court with health complications linked to defective vaping products. These items often contain undisclosed substances and are marketed with enticing flavors and packaging that appeal to younger audiences.
Under current regulations, retailers are not obligated to verify the age of customers who appear to be over thirty years old. However, this bill proposes to raise that threshold to fifty years of age in order to further prevent underage sales. Additionally, the legislation introduces new regulations concerning hemp products. Key elements of Senate Bill 1413 include a prohibition on the sale of THCs and THCp, a ban on the direct shipping of hemp products to consumers, and the requirement for distributors to obtain a hemp wholesale license. The bill also outlines licensing fees for wholesalers and increases fees for suppliers and retailers, among other provisions.
For those seeking further information, Senator Hensley can be reached at 615-741-3100 or via email at [email protected].