Cary Council Set to Vote on Smoking and Vaping Ban in Public Spaces

Cary Town Council is expected to vote on a proposed expansion of its smoking ordinance on Thursday.

The proposed amendment would ban smoking and vaping on Town-owned property, including parks, greenways and trails. It would also add electronic cigarettes and vaping products to Cary’s restrictions in enclosed public places.

North Carolina already prohibits traditional smoking inside places like restaurants, bars and many government buildings. As the amendment is currently written, Cary’s local rules would expand those restrictions to also include vaping.

There would, of course, be exemptions for private homes and vehicles, qualifying cigar bars and tobacco shops, private clubs and some hotel rooms.

The town manager would also have the ability to designate certain outdoor areas where smoking and vaping could still be allowed.

Someone who continued to smoke or vape after being told to stop could face a fine of up to $50.

If approved, the new ordinance would take effect July 1, 2027.

A noticeable amount of the push has come from local teenagers who publicly advocated for the change.

Students from Green Hope, Green Level and Panther Creek high schools have repeatedly spoken before Town Council this year, arguing that vaping has become extremely common among teenagers and asking Cary to adopt stronger tobacco and vaping restrictions.

Supporters have framed the policy as a public-health measure that would reduce exposure to smoking and vaping, establish clearer expectations around Town facilities and make Cary’s public spaces completely tobacco-free.

Raleigh recently made a similar change, expanding its smoking rules earlier this year to include vaping in public spaces, including enclosed public places such as restaurants and bars.

I posted about the upcoming vote on social media, and reactions are pretty split. Some folks support the change, while others believe it is government overreach.

“More ways to let the government have a say in what you can/cannot do,” commented Dawson Dugid. “Because the government already does such a good job!”

“Awesome, nothing worse than trying to enjoy parks or greenways only to have to breathe the disgusting stench of cigarettes or vapes,” commented John Scruggs. “And before you get upset or say it’s your own choice or it only affects you; if that was the case, I wouldn’t smell the stench!”

“I fully support this. Smoking is horrible in so many ways. If it were up to me, there would be a nationwide ban,” wrote Tracy Roberts.

“Well, thank God it isn’t up to you,” Lee Morone replied, adding that vaping outdoors is not invasive to others.

Others brought up the question of enforcement.

“It will be enforced just like the 45 MPH speed limit on Cary Speedway,” Bob Johnson commented.

Cary has more than one hundred miles of greenways and a large park system, so the expanded rules would cover a lot of ground.

The ordinance is largely structured around voluntary compliance. A citation of up to $50 could come into play if someone continued using the product after being told to stop.

The proposed ordinance would also give Cary’s town manager the ability to create designated smoking or vaping areas on Town property, which could potentially provide a middle ground in certain locations.

The proposal is expected to come before Council at Thursday’s regular meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Cary Town Hall.

I’ll let you know what they decide.

Additional reading: The News & Observer on the student advocates · Town Council Meeting Information