Texas may raise smoking age to 21

By Matt Hoffman, Buzz60

Tobacco is currently legal in the Lone Star State for anyone 18 and older, but the Dallas Morning News reports that an upcoming push in the state legislature to change this could have bipartisan support.

The issue concerns not just health, but money. A reduction in tobacco purchases would also mean a reduction in tax revenue.

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However, supporters of the initiative cite a Department of State Health Services analysis which claims that raising the smoking age could save Texas $406 million in health care costs over five years.

California and Hawaii are currently the only two states with a smoking age of 21.

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