Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates an offense for a vape shop retailer, or a distributor, wholesaler, or importer, who sells or offers for sale a vapor product for retail sale in this state to sell nitrous oxides. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 57, Chapter 7 and Title 67.

HB 2228 prohibits vape shop retailers, distributors, wholesalers, or importers from selling or offering nitrous oxide (commonly known as "laughing gas") for retail sale in Tennessee. The bill defines "vape shop" as businesses selling electronic smoking devices or vapor products and specifies that selling nitrous oxide as part of these products violates the law. Violators face escalating civil penalties: up to $500 per product for first offenses, increasing to $1,500 per product with license suspension or revocation for repeated violations within a year. Manufacturers causing nitrous oxide to be sold face $10,000 fines per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.