Updated: June 8 / 2019

Supporters of the bill believe that by increasing the minimum age by three years should reduce the risk of addiction in young adults.

On Friday, Abbott signed the legislation, which covers tobacco products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or other tobacco-based products. The only exception regarding the law is for those who serve in the military.

The law is said to go into effect starting on September 1.

Anyone that is caught breaking the new law is said to face a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500.

The state of Texas is among a growing number of states that are raising the tobacco age limit.

Illinois has recently signed similar legislation in May. States, where the legal age is already 21, include California,Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine,Oregon, and Massachusetts. Laws will take effect later this year in both Arkansas and Virginia.