Texas lawmakers vote to ban e-cigarette sales to minors

E-cigarettes would be off-limits for Texas minors to purchase under a proposal that has cleared both chambers of the Texas Legislature.

The bill originated in the Senate and passed the House on Tuesday.

The upper chamber only needs to approve tweaks made to it in House committee to send the proposal to Gov. Greg Abbott. His signature is needed for it to become law.

The proposal bans sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and possession of the devices by youths under 18.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated smoking devices that vaporize chemicals, which are then inhaled. Under current Texas law, they are legal for minors to purchase.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is studying e-cigarettes, but does not currently regulate the devices – which are still relatively new.