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Knoxville council approves ordinance banning tobacco and vape use in most 21+ venues, delays effective date to Jan. 1, 2027
Summary
After public testimony both for and against, Knoxville City Council voted 7–2 to adopt an ordinance prohibiting tobacco and vapor product use inside most age-restricted (21+) venues, amending local code to close a loophole cited under the 2007 Non‑Smokers Protection Act; the council set the ordinance's effective date to Jan. 1, 2027 to give small businesses time to adapt.
Council members voted 7–2 to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Article 5 of the Knoxville City Code to prohibit the use of tobacco and vapor products inside most age‑restricted (21+) venues, with a council‑approved amendment setting the ordinance's effective date to Jan. 1, 2027.
The measure, introduced by Council member Helsley, was framed as a public‑health update that closes a gap left by the 2007 Non‑Smokers Protection Act and extends the same indoor protections to workers in 21+ venues. "This is a common sense change observed by over 1,300 cities," Helsley said, arguing the change protects employees, musicians and others who work long shifts in smoky…
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