Tennessee House tightens vape rules but rejects last‑minute school‑proximity amendment

The House on April 22 adopted Senate Bill 2293, a legislative cleanup to the state’s vapor product rules that clarifies that synthetic nicotine is covered by the definition of consumable material and that fines for violations will be administered by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Chairman Hawk said the changes are a targeted fix to close loopholes manufacturers have used to market lab‑made nicotine alternatives and to clarify enforcement mechanisms. “This is the cleanup to the bill that we’re working on right now,” he said.

Representative Freeman moved to consider an amendment that would keep vape retailers at least 1,000 feet from schools. Freeman said the amendment would “protect the children of Tennessee” and described evidence of underage sales at some stores. The motion to consider the untimely amendment failed under the chamber’s two‑thirds rule; Freeman and other members criticized the decision and accused lobbyists of influencing outcomes, while supporters of the majority said the substantive proposal had not gone through committee vetting.

After further debate the House voted to pass the Senate version of the bill. Supporters argued the bill follows last year’s major reforms and the cleanup is necessary to close evasion tactics used by some manufacturers. Opponents urged additional measures to protect minors and to revisit zoning or other limits in committee.

The bill passed on third reading and will proceed toward final enrollment.