Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama will officially extend its indoor smoking restrictions to include electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes and vape devices. Passed during the legislative session and signed into law as Act 2026-505, the measure updates the state’s clean indoor air protections to reflect modern vaping trends.

The law amends Alabama's definition of "smoking" to explicitly include electronic nicotine delivery systems regardless of whether the liquid used contains nicotine, THC, or another substance. The statute has been formally renamed the Vivian Davis Figures and Barbara Drummond Clean Indoor Air Act. Under the new rules, wherever smoking traditional tobacco products is prohibited under state law, vaping will now be barred under the same standards.

These restrictions apply to enclosed public places across Alabama, including health and community facilities like hospitals and nursing homes, dining and retail establishments such as restaurants and shopping malls, educational institutions, libraries, courtrooms, theaters, and museums. They also extend to workplaces, government buildings, sports facilities, banks, airports, and public meetings. Private residences remain exempt from the law, along with pre-existing exceptions under the Clean Indoor Air Act such as standalone bars and lounges, retail tobacco shops, privately hired limousines, and designated smoking rooms in hotels or motels.

For restaurants, bars, and their staff members, the law means vaping inside covered dining spaces and enclosed work environments is strictly prohibited. While standalone bars and lounges whose primary focus is serving alcohol remain exempt under pre-existing Clean Indoor Air Act provisions, traditional restaurants and food-service establishments must enforce the prohibition across all indoor dining and work areas. Individuals—including both staff members and customers—who violate the law can be fined $25 per infraction. Venue management and staff are expected to maintain updated "No Smoking / No Vaping" signage and ensure employee and guest compliance.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris highlighted that the goal of the expanded act is to safeguard Alabamians from secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke and chemical emissions in shared public environments. The Alabama Department of Public Health recommends that covered businesses, agencies, and employers review their internal policies and ensure updated signage is posted prior to October 1.

If you need support to quit tobacco or vaping, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health via the Alabama Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.