HomeLocal News

Tennessee bill would criminalize vaping on school property for those under 21

From NewsChannel 9: Republican state lawmakers in Tennessee filed a bill this week that would make it a crime to vape on school property for those und

Republican state lawmakers in Tennessee filed a bill this week that would make it a crime to vape on school property for those under 21 years of age.

 

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Gary Hicks and Sen. Shane Reeves.

 

In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported more than 2.5 million high school and middle school students across the country use e-cigarettes. The most commonly used brands are Puff Bar, Vuse, Hyde, and SMOK.

 

“I watched it in my own home, and didn’t even know what I was watching. Because I did not have a clue,” says Zandra Welch.

Zandra Welch, the Community Relations Director for ATS the Bridge, goes into Bradley County Schools to talk about the dangers of vaping for teens.

 

“It is not just water vapor, just because it may smell fruity, there is still nicotine. And nicotine, we know is not good for us. It is not good for our bodies, it’s not good for our developing children at all,” says Welch.

When it comes to consequences for students vaping, Welch says they provide classes for students that are first time offenders.

 

“They teach a class and it’s a Saturday morning, and it’s held in our juvenile center. So they have to attend that or pay the $50 citation,” says Welch.

But, the proposed bill would slap anyone under 21 years old with a misdemeanor if they used or possessed vape products on school property.

 

How many students would that affect?

 

Numbers we received from Hamilton County show almost 650 incidents with students and vape products since the 2019 school year.

 

JC Bowman, the CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, says…

 

“This bill is probably needed.”

 

E-cigarette maker Juul has been ordered to shell out nearly $440 million to settle a lawsuit brought by 33 states—including Tennessee—after a a two-year bipartisan investigation found the company deliberately targeted young people through marketing campaigns even though much of that demographic is not legally old enough to buy e-cigarettes. Tennessee will be receiving approximately $13 million from the settlement.

 

We’re working to learn more from local Tennessee state lawmakers about this bill, as well as get reaction from others.