People are often perplexed when it comes to public cannabis consumption. This makes sense, since each state in the US has its own laws.
To add to the confusion, every county within a state can enforce its own rules.
With the recent legalization of cannabis on a federal level, the rules of flying with a vape, driving while vaping, and smoking in public may have changed.
In this article, we bring light to the rules regarding vaping in public in your city.
Let’s get started.
Can You Vape In Public? Vaping Bans And Cannabis Vaping Regulations
According to the US FDA, all vaping products are categorized as tobacco products, meaning all laws that apply to tobacco will apply to vaping.
So no matter where you live, you should assume that if smoking is banned, so is vaping. The ban on vaping in a car with children present is another example of it being categorized as smoking.
Vaping while driving without a minor in the vehicle is not illegal; however, you must always maintain complete control of the vehicle. Police could determine that vaping causes a distraction and issue a citation.
You can read more about the laws of vaping and driving here.
Although there is an initiative to ban vapes in certain indoor areas, these products have favorable treatment compared to traditional cigarettes. In many places where you can’t smoke tobacco, you can still vape cannabis.
Minors are, in some cases, allowed to vape, though they’re still prohibited from using recreational cannabis. Bringing a vape on a plane under 21 is generally allowed, it’s best to check directly with the airline first.
If you plan to take a vaporizer on a plane, you must inform security and place the vape in your hand luggage. It also helps to be aware of the vaping laws of the city or country you are arriving in.
State By State Regulations
Here is a list of all US states and some of their bans regarding vaping:
Alabama – Aside from daycare facility workers and emergency providers, everyone above the age of nineteen can use vaping products.
Alaska – Wherever smoking is banned, vaping is also forbidden. So, you can’t vape in most public places.
Arizona – You can’t vape around foster kids and in foster homes.
Arkansas – The products cannot be used in and around healthcare facilities, schools, and childcare facilities.
California – The use is restricted around public areas and minors.
Colorado – Vaping is prohibited in public and around minors.
Connecticut – Not banned in public, but still prohibited in many public places.
Delaware – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited.
District of Columbia - Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited.
Florida – Can’t be used indoors and in closed spaces with kids.
Georgia – Food Service employees are not allowed to vape.
Hawaii - Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited. It can't be used around the University of Hawaii and in parks.
Idaho – No restriction for public use.
Illinois – Cannot be used at Capitol Complex and around university campuses.
Indiana – No restriction for public use.
Iowa – Banned around children, college campuses, and on state property.
Kansas – Cannot be used around juvenile jails and correctional facilities.
Kentucky – Prohibited in various public areas and around children.
Louisiana – You can’t vape on school property.
Maine – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited.
Maryland – No restriction for public use.
Massachusetts – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited. Vaping products can’t be used around children’s camps.
Michigan – Vaping at the Third Judicial Circuit Court is prohibited.
Minnesota – You can’t use vapes in healthcare and around children.
Mississippi – No restriction for public use.
Missouri – No restriction for public use.
Montana – No restriction for public use.
Nevada – Consumers cannot vape in public or at places of employment.
Nebraska – Can't be used at piercing salons.
New Hampshire – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited. A person will be fined if they use it on the property of an educational building.
New Jersey – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited. It is also prohibited at Atlantic City International Airport.
New Mexico – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited.
New York – Prohibited almost everywhere tobacco products are prohibited, with a few exceptions.
North Carolina – Citizens of North Carolina cannot vape in prisons and places where there are children.
North Dakota – Prohibited in almost all places where tobacco products are prohibited, with a few exceptions.
Ohio – You cannot vape in tattoo and art parlors, college campuses, University of Cincinnati, and capitol buildings.
Oklahoma – The use of vapes is prohibited at rehabilitation centers and mental illness clinics.
Oregon – It's forbidden in almost every place that prohibits tobacco products, including in a car with small children.
Pennsylvania – No restriction for public use.
Rhode Island – Prohibited almost everywhere tobacco products are prohibited, including correctional facilities and in vehicles.
South Carolina – People in an ambulance cannot vape.
South Dakota – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited as well as in correctional facilities.
Tennessee – Cannot be used at Tennessee Tech University.
Texas – Prohibited at the Department of Criminal Justice facilities and places where kids and minors congregate.
Utah – Prohibited in places where tobacco products are prohibited.
Vermont – Products cannot be used while in a car with underage children and in all other places where tobacco is banned.
Virginia – Can’t use it on school properties and buses.
Washington – Can’t use it on campuses and around other educational facilities.
West Virginia – The same laws that apply to tobacco apply to vapes.
Wisconsin – Can't be used at the State Fair Park.
Wyoming – Vaping is prohibited while in the company of minors.
Summary
As you can see from the list above, the rules around vaping in public vary from state to state. So be sure to check out the specific laws and regulations around vaping for any state you’re currently residing in or may be traveling to in the near future.