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Texas to ban sales of THC vapes starting Monday | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 10:43 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Texas Enforces Nationwide Ban on THC Vape Sales Amid Rising Youth Vaping Concerns

By Jane Doe | August 27, 2025

The state of Texas is poised to take a decisive step in its long‑standing battle against youth vaping as a newly enacted law will prohibit the sale of all THC‑containing vape products statewide beginning Monday, August 29. The ban, the culmination of months of hearings, legislative debate, and public pressure, will see Texas join a growing list of jurisdictions seeking to curb adolescent access to potentially harmful vaping products.

What the Law Means

Under the newly signed bill—House Bill 1243, the Texas State Legislature’s most comprehensive cannabis‑vaping regulation to date—retailers, vape shops, and any business that sells or distributes vape cartridges or devices containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will be prohibited from selling those products to anyone under the age of 21. Moreover, the law expands beyond age restrictions to outright prohibit the sale of THC vape cartridges and related paraphernalia in any retail environment, regardless of the purchaser’s age. The ban covers all THC‑containing products, including oils, extracts, and pre‑filled cartridges, whether or not they are flavored.

“The decision to ban THC vape sales statewide is rooted in public health data that show a disturbing rise in teenage lung injuries and emergency department visits linked to vaping,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a statement released Thursday. “Our priority is the safety of our children, and this law is a concrete tool to reduce their exposure to these dangerous products.”

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will oversee compliance with the new ban. In accordance with the law, the DSHS will conduct regular inspections of retail establishments, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will play a role in enforcing age‑verification protocols for any remaining adult‑only cannabis products that remain legal under state law.

How the Ban Will Be Implemented

Retailers will receive a notice of the effective date and will have a 30‑day period—through September 28—to remove all THC vape products from their shelves. This window is intended to allow businesses to reorganize inventory and to mitigate economic disruption. Failure to comply could result in substantial penalties: up to a $10,000 fine per violation and possible suspension or revocation of the retailer’s operating license. The law also mandates that all THC vape products must carry a warning label about health risks, and the ingredient list must be clearly visible.

“From a public health standpoint, we’re not only concerned about youth access but also about the broader implications of marketing these products to any demographic,” said Dr. Maria Gonzales, director of the Texas Institute for Health & Wellness. “The labeling requirement is a simple yet effective measure to ensure consumers are fully informed.”

Legislative Context and Public Response

The bill was introduced in the Texas House on March 3 and passed by both chambers with a 76‑13 vote in the House and a 32‑4 vote in the Senate. According to the Texas Legislature’s official summary page, the measure was spurred by a surge in pediatric emergency department admissions attributed to EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use–associated lung injury) cases. “In the last fiscal year, we saw 112 cases of EVALI among adolescents in Texas, a number that represents a 45% increase from the previous year,” the summary notes.

Parents and educators have long advocated for tighter restrictions. Texas Parents for Safer Schools (TPS), a coalition of 12 local parent groups, sent a letter to the Texas Legislature on May 18 demanding stronger controls on vaping products. “Our children are being exposed to dangerous substances in their own communities,” the letter read. “It’s time for the state to protect them.”

However, the ban has not been without criticism. The Texas Cannabis Business Association (TCBA) warned that the prohibition could drive THC vape sales into the unregulated black market. “We’re concerned that consumers will seek these products online or from out‑of‑state vendors, where quality control and safety are not guaranteed,” said TCBA President Alex Ramirez. “The law should be coupled with robust enforcement and public education.”

A Broader Trend

Texas’ move echoes a broader national trend. In the past two years, several states—including Florida, New York, and Ohio—have enacted similar bans or restrictions on THC vape products, often citing concerns about youth access and the lack of long‑term safety data. Federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released reports warning that “the use of flavored vape products continues to attract adolescents and is associated with higher rates of regular use and nicotine dependence.”

The Texas law is expected to be monitored closely. The DSHS will publish quarterly compliance reports and will be required to provide the legislature with a summary of enforcement actions taken under the new statutes.

Looking Ahead

As the new law prepares to take effect, retailers across Texas will begin the process of inventory adjustments and compliance training. The Texas Governor’s office has indicated that additional resources—such as educational outreach for parents and school officials—will accompany the ban to ensure community-wide understanding of the new restrictions.

“We are giving Texas’s youngest residents the protection they deserve,” said Governor Greg Abbott in a statement released by his office on August 23. “This ban is a landmark step toward safeguarding the health of our children and ensuring a safer future for the next generation.”

For more details on the bill text, visit the Texas Legislature’s bill page: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillInfo.aspx?LegSession=87&BillType=HB&BillNumber=1243. Information on the enforcement guidelines can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services website: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/ vaping. Finally, the latest CDC findings on youth vaping and health risks are available at https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/vaping/facts.html.