Tennessee
Does your state make the grade?
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | Smokefree Air | Tobacco Taxes | Access to Cessation Services | Flavored Tobacco Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | D | F | F | F |
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | F |
|---|---|
| Smokefree Air | D |
| Tobacco Taxes | F |
| Access to Cessation Services | F |
| Flavored Tobacco Products | F |
The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Tennessee's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:
- Require all tobacco retail businesses to obtain licenses, provide for and fund specific enforcement measures and establish a meaningful penalty structure for underage sales violations;
- Protect funding for the state tobacco prevention and cessation program and ensure that funding is spent according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Best Practices; and
- Expand smokefree protections to include age-restricted venues through local ordinances.
Tennessee Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.
Tennessee Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.
Thumbs Up for Tennessee for increasing funding for its state tobacco prevention and control program by over $5 million this fiscal year.
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| FY2026 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $7,100,000 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $1,664,198* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $8,764,198 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $75,600,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 11.6% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $322,900,000 |
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| FY2026 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $7,100,000 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $1,664,198* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $8,764,198 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $75,600,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 11.6% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $322,900,000 |
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionSmokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
| Overall Grade | D |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Prohibited |
| Private Workplaces: | Prohibited (non-public workplaces with three or fewer employees exempt) |
| Schools: | Prohibited |
| Childcare Facilities: | Prohibited |
| Restaurants: | Restricted* |
| Bars: | Restricted* |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | N/A |
| Retail Stores: | Prohibited |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Yes |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | Yes |
Citation: TENN. CODE ANN. §§ 39-17-1801 to 39-17-1810 (2021).
* Smoking is allowed in restaurants and bars that do not allow persons under 21 to enter at any time. Note: Under a law passed in 2023, Tennessee communities are allowed to regulate smoking and vaping in age-restricted venues such as bars.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionSmokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
| Overall Grade | D |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Prohibited |
| Private Workplaces: | Prohibited (non-public workplaces with three or fewer employees exempt) |
| Schools: | Prohibited |
| Childcare Facilities: | Prohibited |
| Restaurants: | Restricted* |
| Bars: | Restricted* |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | N/A |
| Retail Stores: | Prohibited |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Yes |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | Yes |
Citation: TENN. CODE ANN. §§ 39-17-1801 to 39-17-1810 (2021).
* Smoking is allowed in restaurants and bars that do not allow persons under 21 to enter at any time. Note: Under a law passed in 2023, Tennessee communities are allowed to regulate smoking and vaping in age-restricted venues such as bars.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Taxes
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $0.62 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Taxes
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $0.62 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionAccess to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | No |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $0.45; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | No provision |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | No prohibition or limitation on tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See Tennessee Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionAccess to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | No |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $0.45; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | No provision |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | No prohibition or limitation on tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See Tennessee Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionFlavored Tobacco Products
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | No state law or regulation |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionFlavored Tobacco Products
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | No state law or regulation |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take Action