On December 11, 2025, the new vaping ordinance takes effect after a one-year grace period for residents, business owners, and operators to come into compliance with the new rules.
The Dallas City Council approved the ordinance aimed at enhancing air quality and safeguarding the health of residents by prohibiting vaping in places where smoking is already banned on December 11, 2024. The ordinance, which was proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of electronic smoking devices (vaping). This measure effectively bans vaping in all locations currently prohibited for smoking.
The ordinance prohibits vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces, within 15 feet of building entrances, and on park property. Importantly, this amendment does not add any new locations to the list of smoking and vaping restrictions.
“I am proud of this effort to keep the air cleaner for all of us. The largest cities in Texas are now aligned to protect people at work as well as the public from secondary exposure to potentially harmful substances,” said Liz Cedillo-Pereira, Assistant City Manager for the City of Dallas. “It’s time to comply,” she continued.
In addition, the amendment requires businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and fitness centers, to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and the use of electronic smoking devices are prohibited.
“We’re all connected through our environment,” Angela Hodges Gott, Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability. “Keeping our places of business, parks, creeks, and rivers clean is something everyone benefits from. When we reduce vaping and smoking litter, we’re protecting the vibrancy of Dallas.”
The vaping ordinance document is online at https://www.dallasclimateaction.com/