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Tobacco and Vaping Laws in Tennessee

How Tennessee law treats smoking and vaping age, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: The minimum age to buy tobacco, smoking hemp, vapor products and smokeless nicotine products in Tennessee is 21; it is unlawful to sell or distribute them to, or buy them for, anyone under 21. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-17-1504(a), (b); 39-17-1505

Smoking and vaping ageThe minimum age to buy tobacco, smoking hemp, vapor products and smokeless nicotine products in Tennessee is 21; it is unlawful to sell or distribute them to, or buy them for, anyone under 21. A person under 21 may not possess, buy or accept these products or use false proof of age. A violation by a person under 21 is a civil offense, not a crime: the court may impose a civil penalty of $10 to $50 (charged to the parent, guardian or custodian of a minor), the product is seized as contraband, and for a second or later violation within one year the court may order up to 50 hours of community service or a court program.
Minors: https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-39-criminal-offenses/tn-code-sect-39-17-1505/ . Read on codes.findlaw.com (a public copy of the official code); check against the official code. Mirror pages state they are current as of January 2, 2024.

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FAQ

What is the smoking and vaping age in Tennessee?
The minimum age to buy tobacco, smoking hemp, vapor products and smokeless nicotine products in Tennessee is 21; it is unlawful to sell or distribute them to, or buy them for, anyone under 21. A person under 21 may not possess, buy or accept these products or use false proof of age. A violation by a person under 21 is a civil offense, not a crime: the court may impose a civil penalty of $10 to $50 (charged to the parent, guardian or custodian of a minor), the product is seized as contraband, and for a second or later violation within one year the court may order up to 50 hours of community service or a court program.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.