KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – May 28, 2026 – The Knoxville city council passed a smoke-free ordinance Tuesday night by a vote of 6-3. The ordinance will ensure thousands of Tennesseans can breathe clean, smoke-free air in most age-restricted venues.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds the council for taking such decisive action to impact public health. This year, nearly 45,000 Tennesseans will be newly diagnosed with cancer. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. There is crystal-clear proof that exposure to secondhand smoke is bad for a person’s health. Exposure to secondhand smoke causes many of the same tobacco-related diseases as active smoking, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. People who don’t smoke who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30%. Without smoke-free laws, bars have among the highest concentrations of secondhand smoke of all public spaces, which disproportionately affects performers and hospitality staff.
“Smoke-free ordinances are proven to be effective in making our community cleaner, safer and healthier. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck,” said ACS CAN Tennessee Government Relations Director Maddie Michael. “We appreciate Councilmember Debbie Helsley for sponsoring the ordinance and every council member who supported it.”
Cancer survivor and Knoxville resident Michael Holtz got involved in efforts to pass the ordinance over the last several years, including speaking at public meetings and writing an op-ed that was published in the Knox News.
“My father, a smoker, died from a massive heart attack at just 48 years old,” he wrote. “We know smoking and secondhand smoke can lead to many diseases, including cancer, and death. I know I can choose not to go to these businesses, but my friends who work as musicians and in hospitality do not have the same choice.”
The smoke-free ordinance goes into effect on January 1, 2027. ACS CAN stands ready to work with businesses and the city to implement the changes.
“Musicians and hospitality workers have been left behind in our state's smoke-free workplace protections for 20 years, but that is no longer the case in Knoxville,” said Jeremy Kourvelas, local musician and director of Smokefree Knoxville. “It means the world to know that Knoxville’s establishments are now safe and welcoming to musicians and other workers like me. This will be good for health and for business, and I hope it inspires other cities across Tennessee to do the same.”
The vast majority of Tennesseans are still not protected by a smoke-free law like this one, putting people and families at risk. ACS CAN looks forward to working with more local leaders to make smoke-free environments a reality for all Tennesseans.