Texas Youth Tobacco
Awareness Program

An 8-hour course, mandated by law, for those under the age of 18, cited with a tobacco related offense.

Texas Alcohol and Drug Testing Service, Inc now offers substance abuse education at the Houston office.  All classes offered meet required standards set forth by Texas Department of State Health services (formerly TCADA) and are under the instruction of trained and certified professionals.  While typically these classes are mandated, anyone may choose to attend the classes for knowledge in the area including companies who have employees that test positive on a drug test and want to offer them an opportunity to increase their awareness and maintain their position with the company.

Pre-registration is required for each class which includes payment.  Registration/payments are accepted during regular business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm).  Accepted forms of payment include cash, money order or credit card.  Registration can also be completed via this website, mail or phone.

Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program

Specifically, the law:

  1. Continues the existing penalty for the store clerk that sells tobacco to a minor, which is a Class C misdemeanor.
  2. Requires tobacco retailers to verify the age of purchasers appearing to be younger than 27 years of age through the use of photo identification.
  3. Existing signage is amended to include that it is BOTH illegal to sell to minors and illegal for minors to buy (Comptroller responsibility).  The sign will say: PURCHASING OR ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE TOBACCO PRODUCTS BY A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.  SALE OR PROVISION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.  UPON CONVICTION, A CLASS C MISDEMEANOR, INCLUDING A FINE OF UP TO $500, MAY BE IMPOSED.  VIOLATIONS MAY BE REPORTED TO THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE BY CALLING 1-800-345-8647.
  4. Vending machines and self-service sales are restricted except in places not open to those under 18 years of age or in places used as cigar humidors.
  5. Giveaways of free samples and coupons to anyone under 18 are prohibited.
  6. Sales of cigarettes of less than 20 per pack (Kiddie Packs) are prohibited.
  7. A retail permit fee of $125 for 1998-99, and $180 for 2000-01, is assessed (a permit is required now, but fee is attached).  The fee funds administration of the bill and enforcement and awareness programs.
  8. Retailers are subject to the following penalties upon failure to adequately supervise or train employee.  All offenses must be within a 12-month period.
    • First offense: up to $500 fine.
    • Second offense: up to $750 fine
    • Third offense: up to $1,000 fine and 3-day permit suspension
    • Four or more offenses: Permit revocation (can reapply in six months).
  9. Retailers must inform employees that tobacco sales to minors are illegal.
  10. The retailer is protected from permit revocation if a retailer has eight violations within a two-year period.
  11. Minors are penalized for purchasing or possessing tobacco products and must attend a tobacco awareness program or do community service.  Failure to attend the tobacco awareness program or do the community service may result in a suspension of the minor’s driver’s license.  A violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.  Upon producing evidence of attending a tobacco awareness program or doing the community service, the charge may be dismissed except in the case of repeated offenses.
  12. Outdoor advertising is prohibited within 1,000 feet of a church or school.

The program incorporates an eight-hour tobacco awareness/knowledge component that also incorporates short-duration, limited attempts at reducing tobacco use or even quitting.  It uses a cognitive-behavioral approach that is integrated with Social Cognitive Theory, within the Stages of Change.  The Youth Tobacco Awareness Program focuses on building an increased awareness of the impact of one’s environment and feelings in decision-making.  Additionally, because of the involuntary nature of the program, motivational enhancement techniques to build on normal ambivalence about tobacco use have been incorporated.  The developers have made every effort to ensure that the program is developmentally and culturally appropriate, although addressing all developmental and cultural issues relevant to all youth in Texas is a near impossibility.  To the best of the ability of the developers, attempts have been made to move individuals along the behavior change continuum through the discreet stages that are well known, using stage appropriate cognitive processes.

Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program: Course Fee: $50.00
For the latest class schedule, click on UPCOMING EVENTS tab.

For more information, contact the

TADTS Education Administrator

Or send email to:
Education@texasdrugtest.com
Ph: 281-444-6600
www.TexasDrugTest.com