Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 161 sets the minimum age for purchasing or possessing tobacco and e-cigarette products at 21 statewide, aligned with federal Tobacco 21. Active military members 18 and older are exempt. The standard applies uniformly across all Texas municipalities.
SB 21 (2019), codified in Health and Safety Code 161.082, raised the minimum legal sales age for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products from 18 to 21 effective September 1, 2019, with an exemption for individuals born on or before August 31, 2001 and active duty military 18+. Retailers must verify ID for purchasers under 30 and post required signage. Penalties apply to retailers and clerks for furnishing to minors. While Texas has not expressly preempted local tobacco age laws, the statewide age 21 floor sets a uniform minimum, and federal law also requires age 21. Distribution to minors is criminalized under HSC 161.252.
Furnishing tobacco to a person under 21 is a Class C misdemeanor; retailer permit suspensions and fines under HSC 161.0901 escalate with repeat violations.
Waco, TX
Waco regulates on-street parking through its traffic ordinances. Vehicles must observe posted signs, time limits, and restrictions near intersections, fire h...
Waco, TX
Waco restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods. Heavy trucks and commercial equipment should not be stored on residential s...
Waco, TX
Waco requires driveways to meet city standards for width, grade, and materials. Vehicles must be parked on improved surfaces, not on unpaved yards in residen...
Waco, TX
Waco regulates the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on residential properties. These vehicles must be stored in approved loc...
Waco, TX
Waco's zoning ordinance sets maximum fence heights in residential areas. Front yard fences are typically limited to 4 feet, while side and rear yard fences m...
Waco, TX
Texas law does not require neighbor consent before building a fence on your property, but Waco's code requires fences to be within property lines and sets st...
See how Waco's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.