Can You Vape in Public? Dallas Bans Vaping This Week

Although vaping is vastly considered a less harmful way of nicotine use compared with smoking, people who don't vape or smoke still have doubts about it. For example, is secondhand vape smoke as harmful as secondhand smoke? Whether vapers can vape in public is also debated. Today, we are going to talk about vaping indoors, the risks of secondhand aerosol and whether you can vape in public or not.

1. Is Vaping Illegal in Dallas This Week?

This is a total false alarm. Vaping in public areas is banned in Dallas this week, from Dec.11. The Dallas City Council approved the ordinance amendment in December 2024. FOX 4 News also says people who violate the new ordinance face a maximum fine of $500 per offense. Neglect the routine dependency behind this prohibition, vapor in public areas, the secondhand aerosol released should be a concern in the first place. Check the table below for the general areas where vaping is banned in Dallas, Texas.

2. What is Secondhand Aerosol?

We are familiar with secondhand smoke but what do we call the substances exhaled by people using e-cigarettes or vapes? The term secondhand aerosol was invented in contrast to the term "secondhand smoke" from traditional cigarettes.

E-liquid is composed of Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, Nicotine and Flavorings. When e-juice is heated in the pod or tank, vapor (This is the term used by all the vapers) is produced. Second hand vape smoke may contain nicotine, ultrafine particles and other chemicals. People are constantly exposed to secondhand aerosol constantly with people around vaping.

3. Can You Get Second Hand Smoke From A Vape?

The expression "second hand smoke" here in the subtitle actually means secondhand aerosol or secondhand vapor here. When a vaper vapes indoors with bad ventilation, the vapor is stuck and fills the room. Anyone besides him passively vapes and gets affected by the chemicals more or less, just like secondhand smoke. Vapor is not 100% safe and people who inhale secondhand vapor are no doubt at risk.

4. Can You Vape in Public?

The short answer is no. Despite its less harmful influences, vaping still exposes vapers and people around, if any, to the risk of chemicals we do not need. Although there is no uniform law at the federal level about the definition of a public place, most states have specific laws about vaping in public places, including both indoor and outdoor places.

For example, California Clean Indoor Air Laws require that any place where smoking is prohibited under the law automatically prohibits vaping as well. As a result, you should not vape in public places like the workplace and public buildings. On the other hand, local governments have specific laws regulating vaping outdoors, such as in outdoor dining areas and playgrounds.

If you are interested, currently for outdoor recreational areas in California, there are 389 jurisdictions, which are home to 84% of California residents, that regulate smoking in outdoor recreational areas (e.g. parks, playgrounds, trails, bike/pedestrian paths, sports fields, beaches). California's statewide smokefree air law, Labor Code 6404.5, prohibits smoking (defined to include the use of electronic smoking devices since 2016) in most enclosed workplaces and public places in the state. Vaping at work might still be an option if your company has no specific regulations about it or you are lucky enough to work for a vape company like me.

5. Can You Vape Inside?

As I stated above, vaping indoors is generally prohibited in public places. However, vaping in your private house is not regulated in California. You may need to ask the landlord first before renting, as they are legally allowed to prohibit smoking and vaping on their rental properties, including inside units, on balconies and in shared areas. If you want to know about vaping indoors, you can check it out with this blog I posted months ago.

6. Best Vape Alternatives

As a man with nicotine dependence, formerly smoking, now vaping is my sick way of coping with stress from work, life and whatever source. Luckily, there are products available for cravings without influencing others. Nicotine pouches are my rescue for work and other novel stuff like nicotine strips also seem to work.

When I can't vape or get complaints from other colleagues, I just stop. Pop one pouch and sit for the hits. It's long-lasting, discreet and efficient.

7. Conclusion

Choices of vaping are kind of being responsible for ourselves, but we need to be considerate too. Here is my rule of thumb: only vape where smoking is prohibited and avoid exposing our flavored vapor to other people. All you need to do is avoid vaping in public and enjoy yourself without collateral damage. That's all about vaping in public areas and I will see you next time as usual.