Alabama State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) is sparking debate back up over personal freedom and public health regulations with a new bill that would ban vaping in indoor public areas across the state.
He prefiled SB9, which would ban vaping in all public indoor spaces.
The Alabama Senate passed similar legislation in 2024 that would’ve amended the Clean Indoor Air Act to cover vaping in public buildings. But it was not passed by both chambers and never became law.
That bill, also sponsored by Allen, cleared the Senate unanimously after being renamed to the “Vivian Davis Figures Clean Indoor Air Act.”
He and Republican colleagues chose State Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) as its namesake in recognition of her longstanding war on smoking in public places.
If passed, SB9 would expand the current Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act to include electronic nicotine delivery systems.
RELATED: Alabama Senate votes to ban vaping in most public places (2024)
RELATED: State superintendent outlines new anti-vaping policy for public schools
The legislation would prohibit vaping in public areas such as restaurants, shopping malls, airports, government buildings, sports venues, and places of employment, mirroring existing restrictions on traditional cigarette smoking.
“That needs to be a priority of ours—to make sure the citizens know that when they’re going into a public place, they cannot vape,” Allen told WSFA 12 News.
Alabama law already limits vaping by minors and regulates how e-cigarette products are sold, but this bill would take those efforts further by restricting where adults can use vaping devices.
RELATED: Alabama vape law partially blocked after federal lawsuit by retail group
Public health experts have raised concerns about secondhand aerosol exposure from vaping, which can contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, and potentially harmful chemicals.
While the long-term effects are still being studied, agencies like the Alabama Department of Public Health warn that vaping may increase risks of lung, heart, and respiratory issues, especially in indoor spaces with limited ventilation.
If approved by lawmakers, SB9 would go into effect in October 2026.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
