Texas lawmakers are considering raising the minimum legal sale age of tobacco and tobacco products – including e-cigarettes and similar products – from 18 to 21.
The Senate bill was introduced Monday, March 18th, in an effort to make it more difficult for young people to acquire tobacco products.
Those in support of the bill (SB 21) believe it will save lives as ninety-five percent of smokers start before their 21st birthday, and three-fourths of adult smokers have their first cigarette before they are eighteen.
Another concern is the rise of nicotine addiction in young adults with the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes or vape pens.
“It’s important to recognize the effect tobacco and nicotine use has on our Texas children,” said Senator Joan Huffman. “It has become so prevalent that the FD and Surgeon General have declared e-cigarette use an epidemic.”
Steven Kelder, a professor of epidemiology and an expert on e-cigarettes testified in front of the senate committee in favor of SB 21.
“Now we have a problem with addicting kids who might have never been addicted to these devices,” said Kelder. “Simply put – raising the age of tobacco sale to 21 will save lives. It will stop children from being addicted to nicotine.”
Seven states (California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia) have raised the tobacco age to 21, along with at least 440 localities, including New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C.
Last year the city of San Antonio passed an ordinance that set the age for tobacco sales at 21.
SB 21 was left pending on Monday.
Should the Texas Senate decide to move forward, there will be at least two votes in Senate, followed by two votes in House, then on to the Governor. The bill has a journey ahead of itself before made a reality.
