Arlington Updates Smoking Ordinance to Include E-Cigarettes, Vapes
Published on April 24, 2026
By the Office of Communication
The Arlington City Council voted to approve an amendment to City’s Smoking Ordinance to now include e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery system devices, such as vapes.
The City's Smoking Ordinance, first adopted in 1985 and last updated in 2017, already prohibits tobacco smoking in most public places and places of employment, including restaurants, bars, retail shops, bowling centers and billiards halls, schools and hospitals, for the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
The updated ordinance to include regulations for vapes and e-cigarettes, adopted by City Council on April 21, 2026, will go into effect at 12 a.m. May 15, 2026.
Other Texas cities with smoking ordinances that contain regulations for vapes and e-cigarettes in some form include Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso.
The City of Arlington produced the following Frequently Asked Questions to provide citizens with information about the updated Smoking Ordinance.
Where is smoking and vaping prohibited indoors?
- bars
- nightclubs
- restaurants
- hotels and motels
- workplaces
- schools (preschool to post-secondary)
- billiard halls
- sexually oriented businesses
- bowling centers
- common areas of multi-family housing, including apartment complexes and condos
- municipal buildings
- most other enclosed public places, including hospitals, nursing homes, museums, galleries, retail stores and theaters
Where is smoking prohibited outdoors?
- Within 15 feet of the primary entrance to a bar, nightclub, billiard hall, bowling center or sexually oriented business
- Within 50 feet of the exterior entrances or operable windows or ventilation systems of other smoke-free establishments
- Within 50 feet of public park amenities, including public restrooms, playgrounds, fenced areas around public swimming pools, dugouts, and bleachers provided for spectators at outdoor athletics events
Which places are not included in the Smoking Ordinance?
- Private homes and vehicles
- A smokers' lounge attached to retail tobacco stores that meets established ventilation requirements
- A stand-alone tobacco shop that doesn't allow in people or employ people under the age of 21 and meets established ventilation requirements
- Specifically defined private clubs with 501 tax-exempt status
- Outdoor areas, such as public parks, that exceed the 50-foot setback outlined in the ordinance
- Bingo halls
Does the Smoking Ordinance regulate electronic cigarettes, or vaping?
Yes, starting on May 15, 2026, the City’s Smoking Ordinance will regulate the use of electronic cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) devices, such as vapes, the same way that tobacco smoking is regulated.
What are the penalties for violating the Smoking Ordinance?
Upon conviction of an offense under the Smoking Ordinance, first-time offenders could face a fine ranging from $25 to $200 dollars. For a person with one previous conviction, the fine range will be between $50 to $500. Those with multiple previous convictions could face a fine between $100 to $2,000.
As a business owner or employer, how do I comply with the ordinance?
- Post "No Smoking - City Ordinance" signs at all entrances
- Remove ashtrays
- Ensure smoking does not occur in prohibited areas. Ask individuals who are smoking on the premises in violation of the ordinance to stop. If a person refuses to stop smoking, you can refuse service and ask that person to leave the premises.
What type of signage is required?
Businesses may purchase or design their own "No Smoking - City Ordinance" signs, provided that those signs meet the ordinance's minimum requirements. Signs must say "No Smoking - City Ordinance" in bold letters that are no less than 1 inch in height.
Where can I obtain "No Smoking - City Ordinance" signage to be in compliance with the Smoking Ordinance?
"No Smoking - City Ordinance" signs for businesses can be picked up free of charge at the One Start Center, located on the 2nd floor of Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.
As a business owner, can I add a patio to accommodate smoking customers?
Some businesses may be eligible to add a patio or outdoor seating area to accommodate smokers and be in compliance with the City's updated Smoking Ordinance. Please speak with a Planner at the One Start Center to discuss your specific property. The One Start Center is located on the 2nd floor of Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram St. The phone number is 817-459-6502.
How do I report non-compliance?
- Call the City of Arlington's Action Center hotline at 817-459-6777
- Individuals may also submit anonymous complaints using the free Ask Arlington app. Click on Requests at the bottom of the screen, then Create a Request and search for the word Smoking, which is under the Health Services category.