Texas May Raise The Legal Smoking Age To 21
Texas May Raise The Legal Smoking Age To 21
If the state passes a new law this year, it will be the third to raise the legal smoking age to 21 years old from 18 years old, and with bipartisan support, it looks more and more likely.
If the state passes a new law this year, it will be the third to raise the legal smoking age to 21 years old from 18 years old, and with bipartisan support, it looks more and more likely.
This year, the state of Texas will be focusing on whether or not to raise the legal smoking age, the age at which tobacco products may be purchased, to 21, and with bipartisan support, the change looks more and more likely. Democratic senator Carlos Uresti and Republican Senator Joan Huffman of the Texas State Legislature are both expected to introduce bills this year that would raise the smoking age. Many healthcare professionals and educators hope that by raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine products, the estimated 5.6 million young smokers projected to die of related diseases will decrease dramatically. Lou Kreidler, the Director Of Health at the Wichita County Public Health District, has commented, saying:
Any time you can delay those negative behaviors, the better chance we have that children will not begin to start smoking.
Lou Kreidler
Texomas Home Page, January 17, 2017
Some people who sell tobacco products are even in favor of raising the legal age. Sayed Ali, who manages the Kemp Discount Store, knows that raising the legal age for smoking would probably decrease sales, but is still in favor of raising the age.
It will be better if it's 21. It will be more beneficial to them, health wise also.
Sayed Ali
Texomas Home Page, January 17, 2017
Still, many residents are against raising the legal smoking age because they believe that it should be an individual's choice to risk their life by smoking.
I mean it's your health on the line, it's not nobody else's. It's your choice to make that decision if you want to risk your life or not.
Dorian Norwood
Texomas Home Page, January 17, 2017
So, now, we'd like to know...
Do you think the legal smoking age should be raised to 21 years of age?
Do you think the legal smoking age should be raised to 21 years of age?
Any other thoughts? Talk to us about them in the comments below, and share with your friends to see what they think.