No. California law prohibits vaping in vehicles when minors under 18 are present, effective since 2020 under AB 1276, with enforcement by local health departments and the California Department of Public Health.
Key Regulations for Vaping in a Car with Kids in California
- AB 1276 (2020): Bans smoking or vaping in any vehicle carrying a passenger under 18, regardless of whether the window is open. Violations incur fines up to $100 per offense.
- Local Enforcement: County health departments, including Los Angeles County Public Health and San Diego County, conduct compliance checks and issue citations under state authority.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Pending AB 1910 (2024) expands penalties to include mandatory tobacco/vaping education programs for repeat offenders, aligning with California’s 2035 tobacco-free goal.
Additional restrictions apply under California’s Clean Air Act (HSC § 118940), which classifies secondhand aerosol as harmful, reinforcing vehicle-specific prohibitions. Employers and caregivers face heightened liability under child endangerment statutes if minors are exposed.