REACT: San Antonio lawmaker wants to increase smoking age to 21

Alright vote communist, Oops I mean Democrate. Kind of like the stupid assault weapon ban. Do you really think people are going to follow this ignorant law if it is passed??????

Hey, NO SPAM! Have'nt found any on the stories. Might the IT team FINALLY get it done???

These "law makers" really don't have enough to keep them busy. Does the current law prevent the 13 through 17 years olds from obtaining cigarettes? No. That's when a lot of the addicts start their nasty habit. They'll just find some 21 year olds to get the cancer sticks for them or continue to steal them from their parents, etc. Lawbreakers live by the creed that laws are meant to be broken. Another law, another challenge. We're already drowning in thousands of laws that aren't enforced. Let's add a few more. :(

Why don't they come up with a bill that requires senators and congressmen to pay into social security, instead of just drawing from it. Also if ObamaCare is so great, why are they all (including muslims) excluded from requiring to have it in 2014.

He also says upping the age of access will save the state money on Medicaid????? How's that?

I disagree! If your an adult you should be able to by cigarettes; they are not the same as alcohol. Just more government thinking it knows what is best for people. Government--get the hell out of our lives.

@JoNoes, it doesn't matter what age is set for drinking, smoking, or having sex as a consenting adult, the youth will do what they want when they want, regardless of age, and there will always be an abundance of enablers to help them obtain the booze or smokes. (You do remember being young yourself, don't you?) The only way to change behaviors is through family values and how you were brought up, combined with education of the results of use and abuse of vices. The last thing you want to do is set limits and try to control, because then you'll have rebellion and doing it in spite.

@Guest, have you not heard that one TX Legislator has introduced a bill to add a nickel tax on sugary beverages, such as non-died soda?

A child of 10 yrs old or less can be charged and tried as an adult for murder. At 17 yrs old (or sometimes younger), the law will consider one an adult for arrest and prosecution as an adult. Yet, child custody and support goes through the child's 18th year of age (or beyond for CS in certain instances). And, if one is allowed to join the military and put his or her life on the line for our country, are they not adult enough to choose their vices, whether detrimental for their health or not? How can you allow them the choice to put their life in danger for their country, and not allow them to make an adult choice to endanger their life with smoking or booze at the same defined age?

One thought on this as I am not a smoker and could care less. If I'm old enough to go overseas to fight my country's wars, I'm old enough to buy a cigarette. Enough Said.