AUSTIN, TX - Today, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa concurred with changes made in the House to SB 97, a bill that relates to the sale, distribution, possession, and use of e-cigarettes. With today's concurrence vote, SB 97 now heads to the Governor for final approval. SB 97 prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to any person younger than 18 years of age and prohibits any person younger than 18 years of age from possessing or using an e-cigarette.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vape pens, are battery-powered vaporizers that turn nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals into an aerosol that is then inhaled by the user. These products pose a great risk for teens in particular, as adolescence is a critical point in the development of nicotine addiction. E-cigarettes are often marketed as a safe alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes, but nicotine in any form - smokeless, combustible, or electronic - is highly addictive and can have adverse effects on adolescent brain development.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"Teens now use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product, including conventional tobacco cigarettes. SB 97 is a necessary regulation to keep these federally unregulated, potentially addicting products out of their hands.

The changes made in the House strengthen the provisions in S.B. 97, enhance accountability measures, and update existing statue to accommodate current online and delivery sale practices. Today's final vote puts Texas one step closer to joining the 41 other states that already prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes or alternative tobacco products to minors due to the potentially harmful health consequences and the addictive nature of the nicotine in e-cigarettes."

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