So Texas will join the blue states of California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia and Washington in telling 18-year-old that they are old enough to vote, but not old enough to decide whether to smoke.
Yesterday the House approved Senate Bill 21 that would raise the purchasing age for all tobacco products to 21.The plan exempts those serving in the armed forces.
Govenor Greg Abbott had voiced his support for raising the smoking age in the state.
Richmond Republican State Rep. John Zerwas is a sponsor of the legislation, he says the proposal would protect young adults who are "highly susceptible" to an addiction to tobacco products.
Why does he believe it’s the government’s job to “protect” those that a “highly susceptible”.
Lt. Gov Dan Patrick also supports raising the age to 21, he said last month “increasing the age to purchase tobacco products in Texas to 21 will not only improve public health and save countless lives, it will save Texans billions of dollars in health care costs."