Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0815 prohibits selling tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone under 21, with limited military exception, and Travis County retailers must verify ID and post the required state warning sign.
Texas raised the tobacco purchase age to 21 in 2019 under TX HSC Section 161.0815, with a narrow exception for active-duty military aged 18 and over with valid military ID. The rule covers cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vape products. Retailers must check identification for any buyer who appears under 30 and post the DSHS-issued sign on age restriction. The Texas Comptroller administers tobacco retail permits. Inside Austin city limits, Austin Public Health partners with the Comptroller on enforcement; in unincorporated Travis County, state inspectors lead compliance checks.
Selling tobacco or vape products to anyone under 21 is a Class C misdemeanor under TX HSC 161.0815 with permit suspension, fines up to 500 dollars, and progressive enhancements for repeat retailer violations.
See how Travis County's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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