TEXAS SMOKING AGE - Texas is now just one step away from raising the legal age for tobacco use from 18 to 21 years of age. The bill has cleared the last hurdle in the State Legislature and is heading for Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. The bill covers all forms of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. Dr. Peter Pisters is president of The University of Texas M-D Anderson Cancer Center. He says 18 to 21 year olds have traditionally been major suppliers of tobacco to younger friends.
"More than two-thirds of tenth grade students and nearly half of eighth grade students say it’s easy to get a cigarette," Pister explained. "and so this Tobacco 21 policy obviously is designed in ways to make it much harder for the youth to get access to cigarettes and thereby avoid the risks associated with nicotine addiction.”
If Governor Abbott signs the bill, Texas will become the 15th state to raise the minimum age for tobacco use to 21. There are also more than 470 localities nationwide with the restriction, including San Antonio.
