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"Advocate for local government legislative and regulatory autonomy to control tobacco. Support initiatives to repeal preemptive statutes or replace preemptive language in existing state legislation with specific non-preemptive language. Support the inclusion of specific anti-preemption language in all tobacco control legislation and oppose legislation containing any preemptive language. Expose legislative tactics that seek to rescind existing local tobacco control ordinances or invoke ‘super-preemption' of all local tobacco control legislation through language added to minor or unrelated bills."
Association of State and Territorial Health OfficialsPolicy Statement on Tobacco Use Prevention and Control, July 2000
Tennessee
Many workplaces in Tennessee are smokefree as of October 1, 2007. The law was a big step forward for public health by protect many workers, but unfortunately the law exempts workplaces with four or fewer employees, and any restaurant or bar that chooses to prohibit people under age 21 at all times. Read Tennessee's smokefree law.
To learn more, visit Tennessee
CHART or the Tennessee
Department of Health.
To report a violation, call 1-800-293-8228 or fill
out an online form.
Tennessee, one of the states left most behind in our national movement, built upon the earlier success of enacting a 100% smokefree law in 2006 for all government owned and occupied buildings, including correctional facilities.
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Tennessee state law preempts local control and (TN CODE ANN. § 39-17-1551) states, "The general assembly intends by this part and other provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated to occupy and preempt the entire field of legislation concerning the regulation of tobacco products. Any law or regulation of tobacco products enacted or promulgated after March 15, 1994, by any agency or political subdivision of the state or any agency thereof is void; provided, that cities, counties and counties having a metropolitan form of government may regulate the use of tobacco products in buildings owned or leased by such political subdivisions; and provided further, that airport authorities created pursuant to the provisions of title 42; utility districts created pursuant to the provisions of title 7; and special school districts may regulate the use of tobacco products in buildings owned or leased by such entities. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, individual owners or operators of retail establishments located within an enclosed shopping mall shall retain the right to determine the policy on the use of tobacco products within such person's establishment."
Read more about current tobacco-related legislation in Tennessee.
Current tobacco-related statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control's Tobacco Control State Highlights, 2007.
Tennessee's 2010 Legislative Session: January 3 - May 27, 2010 (est.)
Legislative SummariesArchives
- 1/9/2009HB0017/SB1799—(restaurants and bars)—An Act relative to the Non-Smoker Protection Act—Session Adjourned
- 1/23/2009HB0163/SB0863—(age restriction)—An Act to amend Tennessee code—HB0163 Failed for Lack of Motion—Session Adjourned
- 2/9/2009HB441/SB412—(age restriction)—An Act relative to smoking—Session Adjourned
- 2/23/2009HB537/SB431—(signage)—An Act relative to tobacco products—HB537 Withdrawn—Session Adjourned
- 2/23/2009HB727/SB1550—(vehicles with minors)—“Tennessee Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act”—Session Adjourned
- 12/17/2008SB0495—(vehicles with minors)—An Act relative to tobacco products—Session Adjourned
- 1/29/2010SB3719/HB3748—(library grounds)—An Act to prohibit smoking near buildings that provides library services to children—HB3748 Failed; SB3719 passed Senate—Session Adjourned
Action AlertsArchives
- 8/13/2010Preemption Watch Bill Tracking Summary
- 5/19/2010What's happening in the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths?
News SummariesArchives
- 2/5/2010State Preemption of Local Smoke-Free Laws in Government Work Sites, Private Work Sites, and Restaurants United States, 2005-2009
- 12/29/2009New Push To Ban Smoking In Bars
- 12/5/2009Tougher TN smoking ban may be on the way
- 3/3/2009Bill would prevent fine for no anti-smoking sign
- 7/4/2008Smoke ban expansion in the works
- 5/14/2008New law exempts churches from 'No Smoking' sign rules
- 4/23/2008Anti-smoking bills snuffed in ag committees
- 3/4/2008Businesses with smoking still cannot hire minors
Press ReleasesArchives
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State Specific Resources
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