Alabama Senate adds vaping to Clean Indoor Air Act, passes bill 31–1

The Alabama Senate on Monday amended the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act to include vaping in the definition of prohibited public smoking and approved the bill by a 31–1 recorded vote. Senator Gerald Allen, the bill sponsor, framed the measure as a narrow statutory fix prompted by real-world incidents at public events and schools.

“By adding vaping to the current law that that prohibits smoking in public places,” Allen said on the floor, the bill would extend the existing prohibition to electronic nicotine-delivery devices. Allen described an instance at a junior high sports event that prompted his review of the statute and led to the proposal.

The measure was taken under special order and advanced using a previous roll call; senators voiced no sustained objections during floor debate. The tally recorded 31 ayes and 1 no. Senate clerks reported the bill as adopted and placed for the next steps in the legislative process.

Supporters told colleagues the change closes a gap that had allowed vaping in some public venues where smoking was already banned; opponents raised procedural or implementation questions but did not force extended debate. The Senate’s action follows a growing number of states that have moved to regulate vaping in the same spaces where smoking is prohibited.

With the vote complete, the Senate forwarded the amended Clean Indoor Air Act provision to subsequent legislative processing; the next procedural step will be referral and enrollment consistent with legislative rules.

The floor action concluded with the Senate moving on to other special-order business; the chamber adjourned to reconvene at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2.