Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0815 sets the minimum tobacco purchase age at 21 and requires retailers in Bexar County to hold a tobacco permit issued by the Comptroller. Sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited, with limited military exceptions.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0815 raised the minimum tobacco and e-cigarette purchase age to 21 statewide, with a narrow exception for active-duty military born before September 1, 2001. Tobacco and e-cigarette retailers in Bexar County must obtain a Cigarette, Cigar, and Tobacco Products permit from the Texas Comptroller and post age-restriction signage. Vending machines are restricted to adult-only locations. The Comptroller and DSHS conduct compliance checks, including underage decoy operations. Local convenience stores, smoke shops, and vape retailers all fall within the framework. Federal Tobacco 21 rules apply in parallel and may not be relaxed locally.
Selling tobacco or vape products to anyone under 21, operating without a Comptroller permit, or failing decoy compliance checks can trigger administrative fines, permit suspension or revocation, and criminal charges under Chapter 161.
See how Bexar County's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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