SA City Council approves ordinance to raise legal age to buy cigarettes to 21

Vote was 9-2

SAN ANTONIOUPDATED at 1:14 p.m.: 

San Antonio City Council has voted to pass the Tobacco 21 ordinance.

Recommended Videos



The vote was 9-2.

Voting in favor of the ordinance were Mayor Ron Nirenberg, council members Roberto Trevino, William Cruz Shaw, Rebecca Viagran, Rey Saldana, Shirley Gonzales, Ana Sandoval, Manny Palaez and John Courage.

Councilmen Greg Brockhouse and Clayton Perry voted against it.

--

Original story:

The San Antonio City Council is set to vote on the Tobacco 21 ordinance on Thursday.

If approved, the ordinance would change the legal age to buy and use tobacco products in the Alamo City to 21 years of age.

Under the revised ordinance retailers would be cited if caught selling tobacco to anyone under the new age. The person attempting to buy however would not be cited. 

RELATED: Convenience store owners stage Tobacco 21 protest at City Hall

RELATED: San Antonio won't add extra enforcement for tobacco possession if age raised to 21

Some local business owners, along with two councilmen spoke out against the proposed change on Wednesday.

Retailers say it would hurt their profits.

Metro Health has pointed to the health benefits of making the change, saying it could stop many from ever picking up a cigarette.

This is a developing story. Stay with KSAT 12 both online and on-air for more information.


About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.