AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 15; Title 47, Chapter 25; Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 10 and Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 26, relative to regulated consumable products.
If enacted, HB 0968 will centralize the regulatory framework for vapor products, mandating that only those registered and listed in the state directory can be legally sold in Tennessee by January 1, 2026. The regulation outlines procedures for compliance checks, penalties for violations, and methods for notifying manufacturers of deficiencies. The act also establishes financial provisions for the administration of its regulatory framework, ensuring that fees collected are dedicated to enforcement. This could potentially enhance public health measures by controlling the availability of non-compliant products.
House Bill 0968 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated relating to the regulation of vapor products. This includes the establishment of a directory for vapor products, requiring manufacturers to certify their products' compliance with federal law. The bill defines both closed-system and open-system vapor products and includes penalties for those who sell products not listed in this directory. This action aims to create a standardized system for the sale and distribution of vapor products in Tennessee, which has significant implications for manufacturers and retailers operating in the state.
Although the bill appears to set clear standards for manufacturer compliance and product safety, there may be concerns regarding its enforcement and the implications of penalties on smaller retailers. Critics may argue that the stringent requirements could disproportionately affect small businesses, limiting their ability to compete with larger companies that can more easily absorb compliance costs. Additionally, the broad scope of the terms defining vapor products may lead to confusion and challenges in interpretation and enforcement during implementation.