DALLAS, December 13, 2024 — The American Heart Association team in North Texas is celebrating the actions taken by the City of Dallas for the health of its residents. The Dallas City Council approved updates to its smoke-free air ordinance to include electronic smoking devices (ESDs) like vaporizers and e-cigarettes on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. This change ensures that all indoor or enclosed areas in the city are smoke and ESD aerosol-free, including elevators, hospitals, nursing homes, city buildings, retail and service establishments, workplaces, schools, theaters, libraries, and transit system vehicles. The ordinance also updates rules about signage so the public can be aware that ESDs are part of the smoke-free plan.
The updated ordinance aligns with research showing that comprehensive smoke-free policies reduce exposure to harmful secondhand smoke and aerosols, which can lead to respiratory issues, heart disease, and other health problems. Proactively protecting public health by passing the vote to include ESDs in the smoke-free ordinance, Dallas is ensuring cleaner air for all its residents.
The original smoke-free ordinance in Dallas addressed the health risks associated with combustible tobacco. However, the rise in e-cigarette and vaping use necessitated policy updates. Alec Puente, State Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association, said, "We commend the City of Dallas for approving these updates to protect the public and workers from dangerous exposure to secondhand aerosol from electronic smoking devices. With this change, Dallas joins over 90 Texas cities that have approved comprehensive smoke-free ordinances that include electronic smoking devices."
The City of Dallas' new comprehensive smoke-free plan includes the following key components:
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Inclusion of e-cigarettes, vaping, and cannabis/marijuana in the smoke-free ordinance
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Coverage of all indoor workplaces and public spaces
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Penalties for complaint-based enforcement and penalties for non-compliance
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Updated signage requirements to inform the public about the prohibition of ESD usage
The American Heart Association worked alongside the city and other organizations to prioritize this comprehensive smoke-free plan and supports similar initiatives in cities across Texas and nationwide. Educating youth is also part of the Association's ongoing effort to control tobacco with programs for elementary school students like The Kids Heart Challenge, which reaches many Dallas Independent School District campuses. The American Heart Challenge program helps continue the focus for students through middle school and high school.
Advocating for strong public policies to reduce tobacco use is apparent in American Heart Association initiatives like Tobacco Endgame, a campaign that aims to regulate e-cigarettes and reduce their appeal to young people. The Association actively encourages all communities to join advocacy efforts through yourethecure.org.
Miss Texas 2024, Annette Addo-Yobo, advocating for the American Heart Association, spoke in support of the ordinance, highlighting the importance of protecting public health and ensuring a smoke-free environment for all residents. Addo-Yobo has become a strong volunteer advocate for heart health since being crowned. As part of the Association’s alliance between Go Red for Women and the Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation, titleholders across the U.S. become part of empowering the next generation of women to take charge of their health and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities nationwide. Through the competition and during her current reign, Addo-Yobo dedicated her platform as Miss Texas to giving a voice to her brother, who is on the autism spectrum. She told the Dallas City Council she was advocating for the vaping ban because of her brother. “Individuals, particularly adults, on the autism spectrum have a 57% higher chance of having a stroke or heart disease,” Addo-Yobo shared. “For me, this ordinance is personal.”
The American Heart Association urges other cities to adopt similar comprehensive smoke-free plans alongside the City of Dallas. Residents can support and comply with the new ordinance by staying informed and advocating for smoke-free environments in their community. Tobacco use and nicotine addiction are growing crises for teens and young adults, and millions of people successfully quit every year. The first step to quitting smoking, vaping, and using tobacco is to understand the risks and health effects for you and your family. For a nicotine user, the risk of heart disease is cut in half within one year after quitting. Anyone looking for resources to quit vaping can text HEART to 88709 anonymously to get free advice, tips, and inspiration for quitting.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Lindsey Lyons Jones: (214) 441-4114; lindsey.lyonsjones@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) | heart.org and stroke.org