A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill that would completely ban the sale of tobacco products, including vapes and menthol. The bill, which has a fine mechanism of up to $3,000, is scheduled to take effect on Sep 1.
U.S. Sen. Carol Alvarado of Texas reported on Feb. 9 that she is once again pushing for legislation to ban the sale of tobacco products in her state. On Feb 7, Alvarado introduced S.B. 1182 for consideration.
Similar to the bill introduced by Alvarado in 2023, the bill seeks to prohibit anyone from selling or giving away tobacco products. Cigarette products are defined as products that distinguish other flavors or aromas besides tobacco flavor. The ban covers not only traditional tobacco products, but also vapes and traditional tobacco, and also bans menthol products. The bill does not exempt any type of tobacco product.
The bill includes a “rebuttable and ascertainable” provision that if someone publicly states or claims that a product has a “taste or taste other than tobacco,” and uses words or pictures in the product label, the product will be considered a condiment and banned from sale.
This law does not prohibit the possession or use of tobacco products. Those who violate the proposed ban will face fines and possible withholding of their tobacco sales licenses. The first violation carries a fine of up to $1,000. If you re-offend within two years, you can be fined up to $2,000, and then you can be fined up to $3,000.
If passed, the bill would go into effect on Sep 1. At present, the bill has not been assigned to any committee for preliminary debate. A bill introduced by Alvarado in 2023 failed to advance in the Senate State Affairs Committee.
