.png)
Tennessee
Did your state make the grade?
-
F
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
-
D
Smokefree Air
-
F
Tobacco Taxes
-
F
Access to Cessation Services
-
F
Flavored Tobacco Products
1. Restore state funding for the Tennessee Tobacco Program to $2 million and designate funding as a recurring line item in the annual budget;
2. Raise the tobacco tax by $1.50 and equalize the tax for all tobacco products including e-cigarettes; and
3. Close loopholes in the statewide law restricting smoking.
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
- FY2021 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: $0
- FY2021 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $1,637,971*
- FY2021 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $1,637,971
- CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $75,600,000
- Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 2.2%
- State Tobacco-Related Revenue: $405,600,000
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thumbs down for Tennessee for eliminating all state funding for tobacco prevention programs this year despite smoking costing the state close to $2.7 billion in healthcare costs each year.
Smokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
- 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
- Recreational/Cultural Facilities: Prohibited
- E-Cigarettes Included: No
- Penalties: Yes
- Enforcement: Yes
- Preemption/Local Opt-Out: Yes
Citation: TENN. CODE ANN. §§ 39-17-1801 to 39-17-1810 (2008).
** Smoking is allowed in restaurants and bars that do not allow persons under 21 to enter at any time.
Tobacco Taxes
Cigarette Taxes
- 62 cents
Other Tobacco Product Taxes:
- 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 Dissolvable Tobacco Products: Equalized: N/A; Weight-Based: N/A
Access to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
State Medicaid Program:
- Medications: All 7 medications are covered
- Counseling: Minimal counseling is 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 counseling is covered
- Barriers to Coverage: Some barriers exist to access care
State Quitline:
- Investment Per Smoker: $0.46; the median investment per smoker is $2.28
Other Cessation Provisions:
- Private Insurance Mandate: No provision
- Tobacco Surcharge: No prohibition or limitation on tobacco surcharges
Citation: See Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Flavored Tobacco Products
Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products:
- No state law or regulation