STATE HOUSE APPROVES RAISE IN SMOKING AGE

  

The Texas House joined the State Senate, Tuesday, voting to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21, except for military personnel.

Senate Bill 21 received preliminary approval from the lower chamber more than one month after the Senate approved a slightly different version of the legislation.

The bill now awaits final approval in the House, which is usually a formality. Then, the Senate will vote to either appoint a conference committee for the two chambers to iron out differences in the bill or accept the House's changes and send the legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott.

A separate bill that would’ve placed a 10% sales tax on all e-cigarette and vapor products died in the House last week.