Three new Texas laws aimed at reducing e-cigarette use among adolescents take effect Sept. 1, targeting marketing and products that appeal to children.
The new legislation limits devices that resemble phones, school supplies and gaming devices; it also prohibits e-cigarette advertisements near schools and churches or those targeting minors. Senate Bill 1316, by Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, bans e-cigarette advertising within 1,000 feet of schools or churches.
Senate Bill 1313, also by Cook, restricts advertising that targets minors, including cartoon characters and other youth-oriented designs.
Senate Bill 2024, by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, prohibits sales of e-cigarette products resembling common objects such as pens or smartphones.
The laws come amid rising youth vaping rates.
According to a 2024 Food and Drug Administration study, more than 1.6 million middle and high school students in the U.S. use e-cigarettes. The survey also found that many students have become addicted, particularly to flavored products.
Texas Medical Association physicians advocated for the bills during this year’s state legislative session.
Maria Monge, MD, chair of the Texas Public Health Coalition and vice chair of TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health, testified in support.
“The more work we can put into just making access harder, the less likely adolescents are to become addicted,” Monge said.
TMA officials said marketing that uses cartoon characters or candy imagery encourages teen use and addiction because products that resemble everyday objects make it easier for youth to conceal vaping devices.
Physicians say nicotine in e-cigarettes “disrupts neural development, affecting attention, learning, and impulse control,” according to a TMA release. “This can lead to lasting changes in brain function, increasing the risk of lifelong addiction and exacerbating mental health issues.”
Research cited by TMA also notes that about half of adolescent e-cigarette users attempted to quit in the past year, demonstrating the potential impact of stricter regulations.
“[We support these bills] as a proactive approach to reduce e-cigarette use in youth,” said Valerie Smith, MD, pediatrician and former chair of the TMA Council on Science and Public Health. “The health of our children is not negotiable.”
TMA, the nation’s largest state medical society, represents more than 59,000 physicians and medical students. Founded in 1853, its mission is to improve the health of all Texans through advocacy and education.
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