Tennessee lawmakers debate bill limiting youth access to vaping products

The Government Operations Committee of the Tennessee State Legislature convened on March 3, 2025, to address pressing issues surrounding the regulation of vape products, particularly concerning their accessibility to minors. The meeting highlighted significant concerns from various stakeholders regarding the proposed legislation aimed at creating a registry for vapor products and enforcing stricter sales regulations.

The primary focus of the discussion was a bill designed to combat the rising prevalence of vape products among juveniles. Proponents of the bill argued that it would establish a registry to ensure that only FDA-approved products are sold in Tennessee, thereby reducing the influx of potentially harmful products, particularly those imported from China. An amendment to the bill was introduced, which would require retailers to verify the age of all purchasers, similar to existing regulations for alcohol and tobacco sales. The committee voted in favor of this amendment.

However, the bill faced strong opposition from representatives of the Tennessee Smoke Free Association. Danny Gillis, the association's president, criticized the legislation as being heavily influenced by Big Tobacco interests. He argued that the bill would effectively eliminate 99% of vapor products from the market, leaving only a limited number of FDA-approved options, which are predominantly owned by large tobacco companies. Gillis emphasized that the proposed regulations would lead to significant job losses and the closure of numerous small businesses in the state.

Gillis and other opponents of the bill called for a more balanced approach that would focus on enforcing existing laws and promoting harm reduction strategies rather than imposing outright bans. They suggested that the legislation should differentiate between closed and open system vaping products, with stricter regulations on the former, which are more commonly used by minors.

The committee also heard from Chris Lutz, the association's vice president, who presented data from other states that had enacted similar registry laws. He noted that these states experienced significant revenue losses and increased smuggling rates, raising concerns about the potential economic impact of the proposed legislation in Tennessee.

As the meeting progressed, committee members engaged in discussions about the effectiveness of the proposed measures and the need for a comprehensive strategy to address youth vaping. Some members expressed a desire to collaborate with industry representatives to develop solutions that would protect public health while allowing adult consumers access to safer alternatives.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the complexities surrounding the regulation of vaping products in Tennessee. While there is a clear intent to protect minors from accessing these products, the proposed legislation has sparked a contentious debate about the implications for small businesses and the broader vaping industry. The committee's next steps will likely involve further discussions and potential revisions to the bill to address the concerns raised by stakeholders.