DIVIDED TEXAS SENATE VOTES TO RAISE SMOKING AGE TO 21

  

The Texas Senate has passed a bill which raises the age to buy and use tobacco products from 18 to 21.

Senate Bill 21, authored by Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), raises the age requirement for anyone wanting to buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The bill was sent to the House Tuesday on a 20-11 vote.

Eleven Democrats and nine Republicans voted to raise the legal age, while ten Republicans and one Democrat were opposed.

Opponents of the bill have said the state should allow 18-year-olds to smoke, since that is when they are considered adults by the state. Senator Huffman said she understands that line of thinking, but believes the state should protect young adults from an addictive behavior.

One of the proponents of the bill is Senator Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham, who said she believes in raising the age in order to protect children and their health.

 

Huffman said upon filing the bill that 95 percent of adult smokers began smoking before turning 21, and three-quarters of adult smokers tried their first cigarette before turning 18.

Before passing the bill, Huffman amended it to exempt active-duty members of federal and state military forces who are at least 18 years old, if they show a military ID when they purchase.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who considered SB 21 one of this session’s priority bills, said increasing the age to purchase tobacco will improve public health and save the state billions of dollars in health care costs.