SB 707 - HB 821
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 27, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Rebecca Chandler | Email: rebecca.chandler@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 707 - HB 821
SUMMARY OF BILL: Requires sellers and distributors of tobacco, smoking hemp, vapor
products, or smokeless nicotine products demand proof of age from buyers who appear under 50
years old, increasing the threshold from the previous requirement of 30 years old.
Adjusts vending machine supervision requirements by enforcing the same proof of age requirement
for buyers who appear under 50 years old.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 37-17-1504(d) and 39-17-1507(b), a seller or distributor
must ask for an identification card for a prospective purchaser of tobacco, hemp, vapor
product, or smokeless nicotine product unless an ordinary person would believe that they
were over 30 years of age.
• The proposed legislation raises this threshold, requiring identification unless a reasonable
person would determine that the purchaser is over 50 years of age.
• It can be reasonably assumed that this legislation will not result in a significant increase in
violations. Therefore, there will be no significant increase in penalty revenue collected.
• Currently, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) conducts random, unannounced
inspections at locations where tobacco, smoking hemp, vapor products, or smokeless
nicotine products are sold or distributed.
• The changes of the proposed legislation will not increase the workload of DOA personnel.
Therefore, there will be no significant increase in state expenditures.
• Any expenditures related to required signage, age identification training, or vending
machines will be borne by private entities.
• The proposed legislation will not significantly impact overall sales of vapor products and
accessories. Therefore, any impact on state or local revenue will be not significant.
IMPACT TO COMMERCE:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
SB 707 - HB 821 2
Assumption:
• Any costs associated with staff training and updated signage are expected to be minimal
and will not have a significant impact on business operations.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director