Once hailed as a “smokeless alternative” to cigarettes, vaping has become one of the most pressing public health and environmental issues of our time. What began as an innovation for adult smokers is now a growing concern for parents, policymakers and environmental advocates across North Texas and beyond.

The idea of a cigarette without smoke isn’t new. In 1963, inventor Herbert A. Gilbert patented a “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette,” which heated flavored air instead of burning tobacco. Four decades later, Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik introduced the first modern e-cigarette after losing his father to a smoking-related illness.

By 2006, vaping products entered the U.S. market and quickly evolved—from cigarette-like “cigalikes” to sleek pod systems such as JUUL. Promoted as a harm-reduction tool for adult smokers, e-cigarettes soon drew millions of younger users who had never smoked at all.

Research cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the aerosol inhaled is far from harmless. Studies indicate it may contain nicotine, volatile organic compounds, fine metals and ultrafine particles that irritate lungs and blood vessels.

In 2019, the U.S. faced an outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping-related lung injury (EVALI), as documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leading to thousands of hospitalizations. Researchers continue to study long-term effects on heart, lung and brain health, while youth addiction remains a major concern.

For adults seeking to quit smoking, vaping may be a short-term bridge under medical supervision—but it is not a wellness practice and carries its own risks.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), disposable e-cigarettes—now the fastest-growing market segment—contain plastic, lithium-ion batteries and residual nicotine. Millions are discarded each week, creating a surge of toxic electronic waste.

When tossed in the trash, these devices can leak heavy metals and nicotine into soil and waterways. Their batteries often spark fires in waste trucks and recycling centers. Even rechargeable models are frequently replaced rather than refilled, adding to the problem.

At a time when communities across North Texas are striving for cleaner air and water, vape waste has become a quiet but growing threat.

Cities across Texas and the nation are updating their clean-air ordinances to include vaping. Austin, Denton, Fort Worth and El Paso all prohibit vaping in workplaces, restaurants and public venues. Dallas’ new ordinance—effective December 11, 2025—aligns vaping restrictions with existing smoking bans, protecting residents from secondhand aerosol and reducing litter.

Beyond Texas, San Francisco became the first major U.S. city to ban the sale and distribution of most e-cigarettes in 2019. Los Angeles extended its public-space smoking ban to include e-cigarettes as early as 2014, covering bars, restaurants and parks. Chicago prohibits vaping in nearly all enclosed public places and workplaces, while the state of Maryland recently added e-cigarettes to its Clean Indoor Air Act.

Together, these policies reflect a nationwide shift toward prevention, consistency and accountability in protecting public health and the environment.

The vaping story is still unfolding, but its message is clear: innovation must evolve with responsibility. By staying informed and engaged—whether in Dallas, Austin, Chicago or Los Angeles—North Texans can help ensure the region’s next chapter, like its people, is strong, resilient and healthy.

Myra Hedgefield is a staff features writer for Natural Awakenings Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Magazine

CALL-OUT BOX 1: DALLAS ORDINANCE HIGHLIGHTS

·         Effective Date: December 11, 2025

·         What It Does:

·         • Bans vaping anywhere smoking is already prohibited

·         • Includes workplaces, restaurants, bars and public facilities

·         • Applies within 15 feet of entrances, windows and ventilation intakes

·         • Extends to outdoor parks, trails and recreation areas

·         Goal: To protect residents from secondhand aerosol, reduce litter and improve citywide air quality.

CALL-OUT BOX 2: VAPE WASTE BY THE NUMBERS

·         • 450 million+ disposable vapes are sold in the U.S. each year.

·         • Each contains plastic, metal and a lithium-ion battery that can spark fires.

·         • If lined up end-to-end, annual U.S. vape waste is estimated to stretch 5,000 miles.

·         • Residual nicotine from tossed cartridges is toxic to fish and wildlife.

·         • Most are non-recyclable, adding to the nation’s electronic-waste problem.