Tobacco and E-Cigarettes

A Senate committee unanimously passed a bill today that would establish a framework for taxing e-cigarettes by requiring a person to obtain a permit from the state before selling those products.

Read all of the Texas Legislative Hotlines here.

The Texas Medical Association and the Texas Public Health Coalition are asking lawmakers to strengthen Texas’ laws aimed at keeping tobacco and e-cigarettes out of the hands of Texas youth.

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.

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.