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TCA 39-17-1511

Maintenance of smoking paraphernalia in area inaccessible to customers

VIOLATIONViolation

What does this charge mean?

It is illegal for a retail store to display smoking paraphernalia (cigarette holders, pipes, water pipes, vapor products, and similar items) in customer-accessible areas. All smoking paraphernalia must be kept behind the counter or in a locked display case that customers cannot access without an employee's help. If an employee violates this, the store owner is also liable. Violation is treated as a violation under state law.

Penalty Details

ClassificationViolation
Penalty SummaryViolation
(a) For the purpose of this section: (a)(38) or a specific statute exists covering the same or similar conduct. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106(1) “Counter” means the point of purchase at a retail establishment; (2) “Retail establishment” means a place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services; and (3) “Smoking paraphernalia” means: (A) A cigarette holder; (B) A smoking pipe made of metal, wood, acrylic, glass, stone, or plastic with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads or punctured metal bowls; (C) A water pipe; (D) Rose and pen combinations; or (E) Vapor products; and (4) “Smoking paraphernalia” does not include a smoking pipe or smoking device when sold at retail, if the smoking pipe or smoking device is primarily made of briar, meerschaum, clay or corn cob. (b) All smoking paraphernalia shall be maintained behind the counter of a retail establishment in an area inaccessible to a customer or in a locked display case that makes the products unavailable to a customer without the assistance of an employee. (c) (1) A violation of this section is punishable as provided in § 39-17-1509. (2) If smoking paraphernalia is sold in violation of this section by an employee, the owner or operator of the retail establishment where the employee sold the products shall be in violation of this section.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

VIOLATION
TCA Section39-17-1511