Texas Raises Smoking Age to 21
The Lone Star state will limit tobacco sales to young people on September 1.
Jun 11, 2019
AUSTIN – Texas will become the 15th state on September 1 to raise the minimum age to purchase all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21, according to UPI.
The governor signed the legislation late last week. Anyone violating the new law will face a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500. However, people in the military, who are age 18 to 20, will still be able to legally buy tobacco products.
In May the governor of Illinois signed a similar bill, and on April 1, the New York Senate passed similar legislation that the governor is expected to sign. Other states raising the minimum smoking age are Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, according the American Lung Association. In addition, hundreds of cities and counties have raised the minimum age. In May, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for legislation to raise the age limit to 21 nationwide.
