No, Wyoming does not have a law that specifically makes vaping while driving illegal. Unlike smoking bans that prohibit tobacco use in vehicles with minors present, Wyoming statutes address vaping primarily regarding age restrictions and sales regulations, not the act of using e-cigarettes behind the wheel.
What Wyoming Law Actually Says About Vaping
Wyoming’s vaping regulations focus on protecting minors. State law prohibits persons under 21 from purchasing, possessing, or using electronic cigarettes. The statutes also ban sales or delivery of vaping products to anyone under 21 and require child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine. However, none of these provisions mention driving or vehicle operation.
When Vaping While Driving Can Still Get You in Trouble
Even without a specific vaping ban, you can face legal consequences if vaping affects your driving:
Wyoming has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the country, and driving under the influence of cannabis remains illegal. If your vape device contains THC or other controlled substances, you face the same penalties as traditional drug-impaired driving, including jail time, fines, and license revocation.
The Distraction Factor Matters Most
Police can charge you with careless or dangerous driving if vaping causes you to lose control of your vehicle, become distracted from the road, or create vapour clouds that obstruct your vision. Large vapour clouds can temporarily blind you or other drivers, creating a genuine safety hazard that law enforcement may treat as driving without due care and attention.
Minors Face Additional Restrictions
If you’re under 21, possessing or using an e-cigarette in your vehicle is already illegal in Wyoming regardless of whether you’re driving. This means minors caught vaping in any vehicle face charges under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-305(a), separate from any driving-related charges.
Practical Advice for Wyoming Drivers
While vaping itself isn’t banned while driving, practice caution:
- Keep vaping minimal or pull over to use your device
- Ensure vapour doesn’t obscure your windshield or mirrors
- Never use vapes containing THC or controlled substances
- Remember that distracted driving laws still apply to all activities behind the wheel
Bottom Line
Wyoming law doesn’t explicitly prohibit vaping while driving for adults 21 and over, but you’re not immune to legal consequences. If vaping distracts you, impairs your driving, or involves illegal substances, you can face charges ranging from careless driving to DUI. The safest approach is to pull over before vaping, just as you would with any activity that takes your attention off the road.
SOURCES :
- https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/vaping-in-a-car-is-it-illegal/
- https://www.confused.com/compare-car-insurance/guides/smoking-and-driving
