Senate Bill 562 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning youth access to age-restricted products, particularly vapor products. The bill redefines "retail vapor product store" to specify that such establishments must only allow access to individuals aged twenty-one and older. It establishes that selling vapor products outside of these designated stores is generally unlawful, with exceptions for certain hemp-derived products and specific flavored products. Additionally, the bill mandates that sellers must demand proof of age from all customers, regardless of their appearance, and requires retail vapor product stores to post clear signage regarding age restrictions.

The bill also introduces new training requirements for employees of stores selling tobacco and vapor products, ensuring they understand the legal obligations regarding age verification. It stipulates that employees must sign statements acknowledging these responsibilities, and provides a framework for store owners to present these signed statements as evidence in case of violations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of compliance with age restrictions to protect youth from accessing age-restricted products.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-1503, 39-17-1504, 39-17-1506, 39-17-1507(a), 39-17-1507, 39-17-1509