Texas Senate Bill would raise smoking age to 21

[TexasTowelie]

SAN ANTONIO -

Democratic State Senator Carlos Uresti is sponsoring a bill that would raise the legal smoking age, from 18 to 21. Senate Bill 313 would prohibit anyone under the age of 21 who is caught purchasing or possessing tobacco, with a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $500 fine.

"If we are serious about stemming the epidemic of tobacco-related diseases and the misery they cause, we must steer people away from the potentially devastating choice of addiction," Uresti said. "This bill recognizes and takes advantage of a simple fact. The later one tries that first cigarette, the less likely they are to become a lifetime user."

State lawmakers, however, have disagreed the past several years, as Uresti has unsuccessfully tried to raise the smoking age in his previous attempts in the legislature.

If tobacco became illegal for those between the ages of 18 and 20, the State’s Legislative Budget Board estimates that the law would decrease sales at a rate of 33%, and cost the state more than $100 million in lost tax revenue over the next five years.

More at http://www.ksat.com/news/politics/Texas-Senate-Bill-would-raise-smoking-age-to-21/-/2567674/19147620/-/uq23aoz/-/index.html .

[Chipper Chat]

1. Hell, any 18 yr old in my town can easily get pot on any street corner.

If Senator Carlos thinks this will stop 18-21s from smoking he is very stupid.

[DJ13]

2. cost the state more than $100 million in lost tax revenue

If you hate smoking the money shouldn't be a consideration, otherwise people might start to recognize that the anti campaign of the last 20 years is little more than a stealth tax increase on a group of people so demonized they no longer have any representation in government.

[Tempest]

3. I bet it's costing the state much more in medical costs of treating smokers. n/t

[DJ13]

4. All the more reason to forget money and just outlaw smoking

Its either legal, or its not.

[mbperrin]

5. This will be helpful in school, where 18 year old seniors legally buy tobacco

and then provide it, either as a gift or sold as loosies to their sophomore and junior brethren.

The older before they start, the less likely they are to start.

[blkmusclmachine]

6. That's a start.

[Ilsa]

7. I like this idea it's wise in the long run.

All the smokers I know started as teens, usually before they had to support themselves. They'll be more likely to realize the budget impact of smoking, before health considerations, if they are older before they can legally smoke.

From what I've read, smoking is more addictive on the younger brain, too, making it harder to quit.