Maryland Expands Clean Indoor Air Act to Ban Vaping in Public Indoor Spaces, Requiring New Signage

Earlier this month, the Maryland Department of Health introduced resources to help businesses comply with the updated Clean Indoor Air Act, which as of July 1, 2024, bans electronic smoking devices in all indoor public spaces and requires visible “no smoking or vaping” signage.

Per the news release: “The Maryland Department of Health has released new resources to help businesses comply with the updated Clean Indoor Air Act. As of July 1, 2024, the act prohibits electronic smoking devices, such as vapes and e-cigarettes, in all indoor areas open to the public.

“When the original Clean Indoor Air Act passed in 2007, electronic smoking devices were not widely available or defined as a tobacco product,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “Since then, electronic smoking devices have ballooned in popularity among youth, making the role of businesses in protecting minors and the general public even more crucial.”

Adverse health impacts from electronic smoking devices have been well documented. Youth and young adults who use e-cigarettes or vape produces are four times more likely to begin smoking regular cigarettes within 18 months compared to those who do not use e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes produce a chemical-filled aerosol, not ‘harmless’ water vapor and the chemicals in e-cigarette aerosol include nicotine, acetone and ultrafine particles that should not be inhaled into the lungs. The chemicals detected in many e-cigarettes can cause severe lung disease when inhaled. And much like traditional tobacco/cigarette smoking, the impact of second-hand smoke from these devices to non-smokers is a health concern.

The act mandates that businesses with indoor areas accessible to the public display “no smoking or vaping” signs where they are easily visible. The Maryland Department of Health has distributed informational and promotional materials to more than 10,000 businesses across the state. To ensure compliance with the law, downloadable files for these signs are available in English and Spanish and are accessible on the Department’s Clean Indoor Air Action page.

To learn more about the Clean Indoor Air Act, visit health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/EH/Pages/clean-indoor-act.aspx.”