Texas Governor Signs Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase
The minimum age to purchase and possess tobacco products and e-cigarettes in Texas will soon be increasing to 21-years-old, as today Gov. Greg Abbott signed S.B. 21 into law.
The increase will go into effect on Sept. 1, though it contains a grandfather clause that will allow anyone born on or before Aug. 31, 2001—i.e. anyone that could legally buy tobacco in the state the day before the law goes into effect—to continue to be allowed to purchase tobacco. People born on or after Sept. 1, 2001 would be subject to the new law.
There is also an exemption for members of the federal or state armed forces who present valid military identification.
Also of note in the bill is a provision that prevents any municipality within the state from adopting or enforcing an ordinance regarding the minimum age to purchase cigarettes, e-cigarettes or tobacco products in general that is more stringent than the state’s law.
The bill passed the Senate by a 27-4 vote, while the House of Representatives approved it by a 110-36 vote.
Texas joins more than a dozen other states in raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old.
Patrick Lagreid
I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.
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