No, vaping in a car with kids in Washington D.C. is illegal under the Prohibition of Smoking in Motor Vehicles with Minors Act of 2018, which the D.C. Council expanded in 2023 to include vaping. Violations may result in fines up to $100 for the first offense, escalating to $200 for repeat offenses. The D.C. Department of Health enforces compliance, with enforcement increasing ahead of the 2026 public health campaign targeting youth nicotine exposure.
Key Regulations for Vaping in a Car with Kids in Washington D.C.
- Ban Scope: The law prohibits smoking or vaping in any motor vehicle when a child under 18 is present, regardless of vehicle movement or ignition status.
- Enforcement Authority: The D.C. Department of Health and Metropolitan Police Department may issue citations, with penalties enforced via administrative adjudication.
- Local Amendments: The 2023 amendment to the act explicitly includes e-cigarettes and vaping devices, closing a prior loophole in nicotine delivery systems.