New laws designed to restrict youth access to e-cigarettes have taken effect in Texas, following concerns about rising vaping rates among adolescents. According to a 2024 Food and Drug Administration study, more than 1.6 million middle and high school students in the United States use e-cigarettes. The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey also reports that millions of students are now addicted to these products, with flavored options being particularly popular.
The new regulations, which began on September 1, target devices that resemble everyday items such as phones, school supplies, and gaming devices. They also prohibit e-cigarette advertisements near schools and churches or those aimed at young people. Physicians from the Texas Medical Association (TMA) advocated for these measures during the 2025 legislative session.
Maria Monge, MD, vice chair of TMA’s Council on Science and Public Health and chair of the Texas Public Health Coalition, testified in support of stricter e-cigarette regulation. “The more work we can put into just making access harder, the less likely adolescents are to become addicted,” said Dr. Monge.
Lawmakers were informed by TMA that marketing strategies using cartoon characters and candy imagery appeal directly to youth. Research has shown that such marketing increases both e-cigarette use and the perceived social benefits among teenagers, which contributes to addiction. Because many vaping products look like common objects, they can be easily concealed by students.
Physicians point out that nicotine in most e-cigarette products “disrupts neural development, affecting attention, learning, and impulse control,” which “can lead to lasting changes in brain function, increasing the risk of lifelong addiction and exacerbating mental health issues.”
Despite these risks, about half of adolescent e-cigarette users have tried to quit within the past year according to JAMA Pediatrics.
Valerie Smith, MD, a pediatrician and former chair of the TMA Council on Science and Public Health stated: “[We support these bills] as a proactive approach to reduce e-cigarette use in youth,” adding that regulations should send a clear message: ‘The health of our children is not negotiable.’”
