The sale and marketing of e-cigarettes have become a hot topic in Texas, with lawmakers increasingly scrutinizing how these products are distributed and promoted. On Monday, the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee took up the issue, debating the dangers associated with e-cigarettes and potential legislative actions to regulate them more strictly.
At the center of this debate is Senate Bill (SB) 1698, introduced by Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), which aims to create an “e-cigarette directory.” This directory would require manufacturers to verify that their products comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and Texas laws before they can be sold in the state.
Addressing an Urgent Issue: The Influx of Illegal Vape Products
Sen. Parker has raised concerns over the large influx of illegal, foreign-made vape products—primarily from China—flooding the Texas market. According to Parker, these products are:
Mass-produced in unregulated factories
Shipped directly to U.S. retailers
Often in violation of federal law
Parker pointed out the irony that China, which produces 90% of the world's e-cigarettes, has taken steps to ban flavored vapes within its own borders while still allowing exports to the U.S. and other markets.
“These aren’t just ordinary products,” Parker emphasized. “They are engineered to attract children.”
To prove his point, Parker presented a vape product during the hearing that not only delivered nicotine but also included a video game component—a clear effort to appeal to younger users.
Growing Concerns Over Youth Vaping
The concern over youth vaping is not new, but it continues to grow. According to the 2025 Electronic Cigarette Report from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TSHS):
13.8% of middle and high school students in Texas have used or tried e-cigarettes.
33.1% of adults in Texas have reported using or trying such products.
These numbers have raised alarms among public health officials and lawmakers who see youth exposure to nicotine as a major public health risk.
In response, Texas has already passed House Bill (HB) 4758, which prohibits vape packaging that targets minors, such as those featuring cartoons or candy imagery. Additionally, HB 114 ensures that students caught using vape products on campus are placed in alternative education programs.
More Regulations on the Horizon?
Sen. Parker isn’t the only lawmaker pushing for stricter regulations. Sen. Molly Cook (D-Houston) has introduced several bills aimed at further limiting e-cigarette marketing tactics, including:
Banning child-friendly visuals from retailer window displays.
Expanding advertising restrictions to include nicotine-free vapes.
Adding e-cigarettes to the 1,000-foot advertising restriction that already applies to tobacco products near schools, churches, and daycares.
Where Do Things Stand Now?
While no decisions were made during the committee hearing, the debate over e-cigarettes remains highly contested. Lawmakers are weighing the need to regulate an industry accused of targeting minors while also considering the interests of retailers and consumers who argue for personal choice.
As the Texas Legislature continues to discuss the issue, one thing is clear: the conversation around e-cigarettes isn’t going away anytime soon. Whether through stricter compliance rules, advertising limitations, or increased penalties for selling to minors, Texas lawmakers appear determined to tackle the challenges posed by vaping head-on.
