Changing the Legal Smoking Age

Having a smoke seems to be getting harder by the day. ACC is thinking of banning smoking on campus altogether. Read the Accent story here. Now the Texas Legislature is proposing changing the legal age a person can purchase tobacco from 18 to 19.

The Senate passed bill SB 1049 on Wednesday by a vote of 25 to 5. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

The purpose of the bill is to keep cigarettes out of high schools were cigarettes purchased legally by an 18 year old student then get shared to younger classmates.

Four other states have changed the smoking age to 19: New Jersey, Alabama, Alaska and Utah.

Currently a minor who purchases or is in possession of tobacco can be sent to community service, forced to attend a tobacco awareness class, be fined 250 dollars and lose their driver’s license.

So if an 18 year old is not responsible enough to drink or smoke why should he or she be allowed to vote, drive or join the military?

Check out the editorial in the Accent about the proposed smoking ban at ACC.