TX
Texas House Bill HB628

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HB628

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing penalties.

Impact

The implications of HB 628 include heightened responsibilities for retailers selling tobacco products, which must now provide timely notification to employees about the legal restrictions related to age. Retailers will also be required to post warnings about the prohibition of sales to minors. Additionally, there are provisions introducing penalties, defined as Class C misdemeanors, for violations related to the sale of tobacco products to individuals under 21, thus aiming to enforce compliance and mitigate illegal sales activities.

Summary

House Bill 628 aims to amend the Texas Health and Safety Code to regulate the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products. The bill establishes that individuals under the age of 21 are considered 'minors' and prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products to this demographic. These changes reflect an ongoing commitment within Texas to control tobacco use among younger populations, responding to increasing public health concerns surrounding smoking and vaping habits among youth.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding this bill may relate to concerns over the effectiveness of age restrictions in curbing tobacco use among minors. Critics argue that simply raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco does not address the root causes of youth smoking and vaping. There may also be discussions about the enforcement of these regulations and the potential burden they place on small business owners, particularly regarding compliance with rigorous age verification processes.

Regulatory changes

The bill includes amendments that elaborate on various aspects of tobacco product sales and distribution, such as requirements for identification and stipulations for prevented distribution of free samples to minors. Through random compliance checks and random inspections, local law enforcement agencies will be tasked with upholding the new provisions outlined in HB 628, further supporting community-level efforts to reduce tobacco access for minors.

Latest HB628 Activity

Companion Bills

TX SB910

Similar Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing penalties.

Previously Filed As

TX HB4481

Relating to a directory of e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products sold in this state, and regulation of the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; imposing a civil penalty; imposing administrative penalties.

TX SB2054

Relating to a directory of e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products sold in this state, and regulation of the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; imposing a civil penalty; imposing administrative penalties.

TX SB920

Relating to the prohibited sale of flavored cigarettes, e- cigarettes, and tobacco products and administrative penalties for the prohibited sales.

TX HB3124

Relating to the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products on the campus of a public institution of higher education.

TX HB3022

Relating to prohibited delivery sales of e-cigarettes.

TX SB2308

Relating to taxes on e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products; imposing taxes; imposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

TX HB4353

Relating to taxes on e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products; imposing taxes; imposing reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

TX HB1872

Relating to the prohibited sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB4439

Relating to the production, sale, distribution, delivery, and regulation of consumable hemp products; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB3652

Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, testing, possession, and use of cannabis and cannabis products; authorizing the imposition of taxes and fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense.

Similar Bills

TX HB1908

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing penalties.

TX SB910

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing penalties.

TX SB183

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; providing penalties.

TX SB21

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products.

TX SB97

Relating to regulation of the sale, distribution, possession, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and tobacco products; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty.

TX HB749

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products; imposing a civil penalty.

TX SB338

Relating to the distribution, possession, purchase, consumption, and receipt of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products.

TX HB170

Relating to regulation of the sale, distribution, possession, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and tobacco products; creating criminal offenses.