In 2019, Texas significantly updated its vaping age laws, aligning with federal standards to restrict youth access to e-cigarettes. Key changes directly impact purchase eligibility for residents.
2019 Legislative Updates
Texas Senate Bill 21 (SB21) went into effect on September 1, 2019. This law raised the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 years old.
Federal enforcement reinforced this change in December 2019, with the nationwide Tobacco 21 law, setting a uniform age requirement of 21 for all tobacco-related products. In Texas, state and federal laws now operate concurrently, requiring strict age verification for all sales.
Can You Still Buy E-cigarettes?
Yes, but only if you are 21 or older. Retailers must verify age through identification checks, such as government-issued IDs, for all e-cigarette purchases. This applies to both online and in-person sales across Texas.
- Age requirement: 21+ for any tobacco or vaping product.
- Verification process: Mandatory ID checks at point of sale.
- Enforcement: Penalties include fines for retailers and purchasers under 21.
As of 2019, the law remains unchanged, and e-cigarettes remain accessible only to those meeting the age threshold.
