CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tuesday a Tennessee youth rally will take place at the State Capitol, where advocates are calling for tobacco retail licensing to protect kids.
News 12 spoke with the coalition coordinator about their hopes for the event.
Jeremy Kourvelas, coalition coordinator for Smokefree Tennessee, says nicotine use among young people can have long term consequences.
“Nicotine use in youth is associated with substance use of opioids and meth and other harder chemicals later in life.”
Youth advocates are asking lawmakers to pass tobacco retail licensing legislation that would allow the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission to enforce stronger rules and help prevent illegal sales to underage children.
Kourvelas says the rally gives young people a chance to speak directly with lawmakers about the issues that matter to them.
“At the Capitol tomorrow we’re going to have Prevention Alliance of Tennessee’s annual day on the hill, which is an exciting opportunity for youth to engage with their legislators directly. As the state house and state senate representatives talk about the issues that matter. Right now, a lot of the issues range from tobacco retail licensure through what’s going on with kratom and hemp derived cannabinoid products. There are a number of important subjects.”
Advocates say tobacco retail licensing is a commonsense policy already adopted by most states.
“The rally in question is in support of no exemptions tobacco retail licensure. Tobacco retail licensure is a really common-sense policy that most states already have. Tennessee is actually only one of nine without one.”
The coalition says licensing would help protect responsible retailers while creating accountability for repeat violators who continue selling to minors.
“You have a list of who is and isn’t selling a product. You know if you hang a shingle and sell tobacco you have to report yourself to get a license. And that’s it. If you don’t break the law, great.”
