Dallas, Texas to Consider ‘Public Places’ Vape Ban

According to a city council committee memo, Dallas is expected to consider restricting vaping in public spaces like parks next week.

The Environmental Commission, a group appointed to advise the city council on environmental issues, recommended in May 2023 that the city restrict vaping in public spaces “after identifying the negative health effects of vaping aerosol exposure,” according to a city memo.

The city council’s Parks Trails and the Environment committee requested in March that the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability and the Environmental Commission recommend updating the city’s smoke-free ordinance to include vaping.

The full city council is expected to consider the issue on Dec. 11.

“An outdoor park, as long as you’re being respectful of people and you’re keeping your distance and you’re not getting it in anyone’s face,” said Chris Self, owner of Trilogy Smoke, CBD & Vape Shop in Coppell. Self is a vape advocate who isn’t surprised by the possible rule change. He also says this won’t bother his clients who are used to being discrete anyway.

WFAA reports that banning vaping in city parks would include all of Fair Park and likely during the State Fair of Texas. The media outlet said it had contacted the city’s Parks department for clarification on this to see if any ordinance change would also extend to the fair.

“I know they can do a designation area, I know they have a designation area for smoking,” said Self.