Tennessee State Sen. Jim Tracy, R-14, thinks it’s time that the Volunteer State raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products and vapor products from 18 to 21, and he’s introduced a bill into the legislature seeking to do just that.

SB 1973, along with its companion bill HB 1978 was introduced this week, getting its first reading and a passage on first consideration yesterday. In the bill, Tracy seeks a fairly simple revision of existing state law, replacing the term “eighteen (18) years of age” with “twenty-one (21) years of age” wherever tobacco and vapor products are concerned.

Should it pass, the change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

Avatar photo

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.