No, Tennessee prohibits vaping with minors present in a vehicle, effective July 1, 2023, under Public Chapter 473. The law aligns with the Tennessee Department of Health’s 2026 enforcement priorities targeting secondhand aerosol exposure risks for children. Violations may result in fines up to $250 per incident, enforced by local law enforcement and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit.
Key Regulations for Vaping in a Car with Kids in Tennessee
- Minor Presence Ban: State statute § 39-17-1504 criminalizes vaping in a vehicle when a person under 18 is present, regardless of ignition status.
- Local Ordinance Compliance: Metropolitan Nashville and Shelby County have supplementary ordinances requiring signage in vehicles transporting minors, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses.
- Enforcement Mechanisms: The Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Tobacco Enforcement Division collaborates with county sheriffs to conduct compliance checks, particularly in childcare-related facilities.
Additional restrictions apply under Tennessee’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which classifies vaping as a prohibited activity in enclosed spaces where minors are present. Businesses operating child transport services must display “No Vaping” signage per Tennessee Code § 55-8-165, or face citations. Legal precedents from the 2024 State v. Johnson case affirm that ignition status is irrelevant; mere possession of a vaping device in a car with a minor constitutes a violation.