State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-District 21) is taking measures to improve the quality of health for Alabamians by prefiling Senate Bill 9 (SB9), which would ban vaping in all public indoor spaces.

If passed, SB9 would expand the current Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act to include electronic nicotine delivery systems -- commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes. The bill also proposes renaming the law the Vivian Davis Figures Clean Indoor Air Act.

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The legislation would prohibit vaping in public areas such as restaurants, shopping malls, airports, government buildings, sports venues, and places of employment, mirroring existing restrictions on traditional cigarette smoking.

"That needs to be a priority of ours -- to make sure the citizens know that when they're going into a public place, they cannot vape," Allen told WSFA 12 News.

Alabama law already limits vaping by minors and regulates how e-cigarette products are sold, but this bill would take those efforts further by restricting where adults can use vaping devices.

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Public health experts have raised concerns about secondhand aerosol exposure from vaping, which can contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, and potentially harmful chemicals. While the long-term effects are still being studied, agencies like the Alabama Department of Public Health warn that vaping may increase risks of lung, heart, and respiratory issues, especially in indoor spaces with limited ventilation.

If approved by lawmakers, SB9 would go into effect on October 1, 2026.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].