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In an unexpected show of unity, legislators at the Tennessee State Capitol came together over a proposed amendment targeting vape shop locations near schools. This rare consensus emerged despite the typically divided nature of the assembly.
The focal point of the discussion was a Republican-led initiative intended to broaden the definition of vape products. This bill also aims to authorize the Alcoholic Beverage Commission to impose sanctions on those who violate vaping regulations.
Democratic Representative Bob Freeman from Nashville introduced an amendment to the bill, which seeks to prohibit vape shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools.
“These vape stores are preying on our children by positioning themselves right next to schools,” Freeman stated emphatically. “They lure kids in with fruit flavors and cartoonish, colorful ads. In my district, we have a vape shop right beside a high school, and I’ve been inundated with calls from the school urging us to take action. It is imperative that we step up to protect Tennessee’s children now.”
In a surprising twist, several members of the Republican supermajority expressed their support for Freeman’s amendment. Representative Elaine Davis from Knoxville highlighted the significance of the issue, stating it holds tremendous importance for her and her community.
“Last week at Gibbs High School, we had five students that were impacted medically by a vape. Three of them had to be taken for medical attention,” Davis said. “This is happening across our state in our schools. We are having nurses and coaches and parents and everybody having to Narcan our kids over these vapes. I’m voting a yes.”
Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfressboro) added he had not planned on voting for the original bill because he doesn’t agree with telling adults “what to do,” but he would vote to approve the amendment.
“I hope the amendment goes on, I hope the sponsor will accept the amendment. The body seems to like it and it really enhances the bill,” Rudd said. “It’ll enhance the bill and be a really good bill.”
While there was some concern over local governments potentially losing sales tax revenue if certain vape shops were forced to close, Freeman responded it’s still the right thing to do.
“Last year, we saw a problem with our THC language, and we outlawed and put people out of business last year. What’s right is right, and I stand by it,” Freeman said.
While the bill’s sponsor, Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville) agreed vape shops near schools is an issue, he told lawmakers practicality and implementation of the amendment would become difficult.
“I had hoped that we could do more in this space last year. I had hoped that we could do more in this space this year,” Hawk said. “Where we are right now is just a simple cleanup on a couple of issues that are before us. I would prefer to continue our process with the simple cleanups that we have in this legislation and address your concerns next year.”
However, Republicans and Democrats voted to pass the amendment anyway.
While the amendment was approved, legislators still need to vote on the full bill. After multiple motions by Republicans to set the bill aside temporarily and not vote on it and send it back to committee failed, lawmakers ultimately agreed to delay the final vote on the bill to the end of the day to give the sponsor more time to process the change.