Austin City Council Moves to Ban New Vape Shops Near Schools and Daycares

The Austin City Council is moving forward with a proposal to restrict the location of vape retailers near schools and childcare facilities. 

During a vote on Thursday, city council members instructed the city manager to prepare an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of new vape shops within a 1,000-foot radius of public and private schools and daycares.

A new ordinance has been proposed that aims to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and synthetic nicotine products in proximity to areas commonly visited by children. This initiative seeks to limit youth access and mitigate associated health risks.

Council Member Krista Laine, co-author of the Vape-Free Schools Resolution, stated, “Our kids are impacted by the availability of e-cigarettes in countless ways, from negative health impacts to state-mandated disciplinary consequences that remove students from the classroom.” 

Laine shared, “I am honored to take the initiative in safeguarding Austin’s children from the numerous adverse effects associated with the presence of vapes on school grounds.”

The resolution emphasizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders, such as local schools, parents, and small businesses, and the rule may impact that. 

The City Council will consider community feedback as the ordinance is revised before it is returned for further consideration.

The city manager is set to unveil a draft version of the ordinance on September 11, 2025.

This initiative is part of a larger national strategy aimed at curbing the prevalence of vaping among teenagers. In 2023, the CDC reported that almost 10% of middle and high school students are currently using e-cigarettes, highlighting a concerning trend despite increasing awareness of the health risks linked to nicotine addiction among youth.

If approved in September, the proposed ordinance would position Austin among the select Texas cities to enforce stringent zoning regulations concerning the sale of vape products.