As of January 2025, there is no specific law in Montana that explicitly prohibits vaping while driving. However, there are some important considerations regarding vaping and driving in the state:
General Vaping Regulations
Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act has not been amended to prohibit the use of vapor products where smoking is prohibited. This means vaping is not automatically banned in the same places as smoking. However, some local jurisdictions have enacted their own restrictions:
- Bozeman/Gallatin County, Lewis and Clark County, Missoula County, and Yellowstone County have ordinances prohibiting vaping where smoking is prohibited.
Vaping in Vehicles
While there is no statewide ban on vaping while driving, there are some relevant restrictions:
- It is illegal to use vapor products on public school property, which would include school vehicles
- Some municipalities may have local ordinances restricting vaping in vehicles, especially with minors present.
Potential Safety Concerns
Even though vaping while driving is not explicitly illegal statewide, it could potentially be considered distracted driving if it interferes with the safe operation of a vehicle. Law enforcement officers may cite drivers for reckless or careless driving if vaping is deemed to impair their ability to drive safely.
Age Restrictions
It’s important to note that while Montana state law sets the minimum age for purchasing vapor products at 18, federal law requires purchasers to be at least 21 years old. This federal age restriction applies to possession and use as well.
While vaping and driving is not specifically outlawed in Montana, drivers should exercise caution and be aware of local ordinances that may impose additional restrictions. As with any activity while driving, the primary focus should always be on safe vehicle operation.
Sources
- https://vapetm.com/pages/montana-vape-vending-laws-and-permits
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vaping_bans_in_the_United_States
- https://www.krtv.com/news/montana-and-regional-news/substance-abuse-prevention-alliance-wants-action-on-vaping-regulations
- https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/Tobacco/CleanIndoorAirAct/CIAAfrequentlyaskedquestions.pdf
- https://apnews.com/article/public-health-marijuana-vaping-mt-state-wire-montana-44892ddeae6f36d6b6bef0d2ed92f0a4
