The Texas House of Representatives has voted in favor of a proposal that would raise the legal smoking and vaping age in Texas to 21.
As The Austin American-Statesman reports, the lower chamber also rejected two amendments that sought to weaken or gut the smoking restriction. State Rep. John Zerwas, who is a physician, praised the measure, saying it will help keep tobacco products out of schools.
“If you get addicted in middle school or high school as a 14- to 17-year-old,” said Zerwas, “there is less than a 5% chance you will ever kick the habit.” A slightly different version of this same measure has already passed the state Senate.
Due to small changes, the bill must first return to the Senate for a vote before heading to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott. It’s not known whether Abbott would sign such a measure or choose to veto it.
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