Texas Legislature

Texas Senate Passes Trio of Bills Targeting Youth Vaping

The Texas Senate this week passed three bills designed to curb advertising and sales of vaping products to children. The legislative action comes amid growing concern about the unknown long-term health risks of vaping and the well-established dangers of nicotine addiction.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.6 million public school students currently use e-cigarettes, including nearly half a million middle schoolers. While the carcinogenic effects of e-cigarettes remain uncertain, health experts agree that nicotine poses serious risks, including high blood pressure, cardiac disease, and increased risk of blood clots. A single vape cartridge can contain as much nicotine as two packs of traditional cigarettes.

Senator Molly Cook (D), author of two of the bills, said e-cigarette vendors are increasingly targeting children with appealing advertisements.

“Parents across my district and throughout the state feel helpless when these smoke shops use lucrative marketing tactics to target students,” said Cook. “Especially considering that e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular among minors.”

Sen. Cook’s Senate Bill 1313 would prohibit smoke shops and other vendors from using images that appeal to children in any signage, logos, or posted advertisements. Violations would be classified as class B misdemeanors.

“It is very disturbing on many fronts how children are being marketed to for profit without concern for their well-being,” added bill co-author Senator Angela Paxton (R)

A second measure by Cook, Senate Bill 1316, addresses a gap in current law that restricts tobacco advertising near schools and churches but does not include e-cigarettes.

“Although Texas law prohibits the advertisement of cigarettes and tobacco products within 1,000 feet of a church or a school, e-cigarette advertisements are not included in this prohibition,” Cook said. SB 1316 would close that loophole.

The third bill, approved earlier in the week, would ban the sale of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, within 1,000 feet of a church or school. Senator Donna Campbell (R), who authored SB 464, said the measure is aimed at preventing easy access to harmful products.

“This bill is a proximity-based prevention to hopefully decrease health effects and decrease the ease of acquiring these products,” Campbell said.

All three bills now move to the Texas House for consideration as lawmakers continue efforts to shield Texas youth from the rising health threats associated with vaping and nicotine addiction.

Raeylee Barefield

Raeylee Barefield is a student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in Government. She enjoys reading, writing, and cooking in her spare time.

Recent Posts

Judge Blocks Texas National Guard Deployment to Portland

A federal judge has halted the Trump administration's effort to deploy Texas National Guard troops…

10 hours ago

John Cornyn Disputes Democrat Claims over Medicaid and Spending

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) is placing responsibility squarely on Senate Democrats regarding the government…

14 hours ago

Wesley Hunt Enters Crowded Texas Senate Race

After months of speculation, Rep. Wesley Hunt (R) has launched his Texas Senate race campaign.…

17 hours ago

August Pfluger Criticizes Democrats Over Government Shutdown

Following the Government Shutdown, U.S. Congressman August Pfluger (R) is condemning Democratic leadership for what…

17 hours ago

Federal Court Reviews Claims of Racial Bias in Texas Map Redraw

Texas has called witnesses in El Paso for the Federal court case over the state's…

17 hours ago