Tobacco and E-Cigarettes

A panel of lawmakers and physicians participated in a state Parent Teacher Association (PTA) town hall event at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday. The panel discussed the vaping health epidemic; issues with implementation of a state law passed last year that raised the minimum age to use or purchase tobacco products – including vaping devices – to 21; and the need for support to help students quit.

While praising recent restrictions on smoking, e-cigarettes, and vaping products, a coalition of Texas health organizations called on state lawmakers to do even more to keep children from using those products.

Physicians checked off major accomplishments during the 2019 session of the Texas Legislature, including finally convincing lawmakers that raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21 was the right thing for the state's present and future. Medicine also scored improvements on the insurance front and vital funding increases.

While tobacco use is decreasing, Texas still continues to have higher rates of death attributable to smoking. TMA supports legislative and local efforts to make Texas smoke free and to fund important state tobacco cessation.

This year, Texas will experience more than 110,000 new cases of cancer and nearly 40,000 cancer-related deaths. Receiving regular medical care, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active can reduce a person’s cancer risk.