Synar Program - Tobacco Prevention for Youth

Each year, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture teams up with the Tennessee of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to visit tobacco product retailers across the state to determine if they are following the law.

Since the Department began randomly checking stores in 1997, the number of retailers complying has steadily increased. In fact, since 2018, it’s estimated that more than 90% of retailers are in compliance, no longer attempting to sell tobacco products to minors. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) requires states to effectively enforce laws prohibiting the sale and distribution of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21. Once a year the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services submits a report detailing its activities to enforce the law called The Annual Synar Report.

You can find more information as well as the latest Annual Synar Report on the Tennessee of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services website linked below: 
Tobacco Prevention for Youth (tn.gov)