City of Arlington strengthens smoke-free protections, becoming a model for clean indoor air in Texas

Arlington City Council vote strengthens protections for Arlington workers, families, and visitors 

The City of Arlington has taken a major step to protect public health by strengthening its smoke-free ordinance to include e-cigarettes and vaping devices in all indoor workplaces and public spaces. The expanded ordinance takes effect May 15 after a unanimous vote of City Council and will apply to all enclosed public places and workplaces throughout Arlington.  

The American Heart Association applauds the Arlington City Council’s vote, which places the city among a growing group of Texas communities leading the way on clean indoor air protections for workers, families, and visitors alike.   

By taking this step, Arlington is protecting its community from secondhand exposure and helping curb the tobacco industry’s efforts to addict a new generation. Each year, tobacco use leads to approximately 168,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease nationwide. In Texas alone, tobacco claims an estimated 28,000 lives annually and costs the state $10.29 billion in health care expenses. Secondhand smoke, and now aerosol from e-cigarettes, contains heavy metals and fine particles that can worsen heart and lung disease. Because these exposures pose real and preventable health risks, cities across Texas have taken action to strengthen their smoke-free protections.    

While Arlington and more than 90 Texas cities have adopted comprehensive smoke-free protections, hundreds of communities, and millions of Texans, are still not covered. That means too many workers and families are breathing in dangerous secondhand smoke and aerosol every day.  

The American Heart Association is urging city leaders across Texas to follow Arlington’s lead and take action to ensure everyone has the right to breathe clean indoor air. Arlington joins Dallas, Fort Worth, Garland, Irving, Denton, Waco, Austin, Houston, El Paso, and McAllen as Texas cities with smoke-free ordinances that include e-cigarettes, setting a clear example of how communities can protect public health while supporting strong local business environments. These policies do not just save lives; they strengthen communities. Research shows that smoke-free laws improve public health and don’t hurt businesses. In fact, many see increased customer traffic once they go smoke and aerosol-free.  

“Arlington is showing what leadership looks like when it comes to protecting public health,” said Alisa Sandmann, Community Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association in North Texas. “By closing loopholes that allow exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol, the city is putting the health of workers, families, and patrons first and setting a standard other communities can follow.”  

 The American Heart Association is encouraging Texans to learn more about efforts to make sure you can breathe clean indoor air across the state. Those looking to take action or stay informed can connect with the American Heart Association’s Smoke Free Texas initiative online. 

 For Arlington residents, the change means healthier indoor spaces across the city. For Texas, it signals growing momentum toward a future where clean indoor air is the norm, not the exception.