---
title: "Richland County Expands Clean Indoor Air Protections to Include Vaping Devices"
id: "aha-news-0-american-heart-association-applauds-richland-county-for-expanding-clean-indoor"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/aha-news-0-american-heart-association-applauds-richland-county-for-expanding-clean-indoor"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Cardiology"
source_name: "AHA News (American Heart Association)"
source_url: "https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/american-heart-association-applauds-richland-county-for-expanding-clean-indoor-air-protections"
published_at: "2026-09-22T14:33:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Verified Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Richland County Expands Clean Indoor Air Protections to Include Vaping Devices
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/aha-news-0-american-heart-association-applauds-richland-county-for-expanding-clean-indoor
- **Specialty:** [Cardiology](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/cardiology.md)
- **Primary Source:** AHA News (American Heart Association)
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/american-heart-association-applauds-richland-county-for-expanding-clean-indoor-air-protections)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-22T14:33:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Verified Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- The American Heart Association commended Richland County Council for approving an ordinance that extends existing **clean indoor air** protections to cover electronic smoking devices and vaping products. - The ordinance was approved on its third and final reading on September 15, 2026, and the announcement was published September 22, 2026. - The measure prohibits **vaping** in covered indoor workplaces and customer-facing areas in unincorporated Richland County, including restaurants, retail stores and shared work environments. - The ordinance also establishes a 15-foot smoke- and vape-free buffer around entrances and exits to covered facilities. - The AHA emphasized that e-cigarettes produce an aerosol that can contain **nicotine**, metals, volatile organic compounds and other potentially harmful substances, and that secondhand aerosols are not harmless. - Research cited by the AHA links exposure to e-cigarette aerosol with **inflammation** and impaired blood vessel function, which are associated with cardiovascular disease. - AHA South Carolina government relations director Andrew Wylam and Richland County Council Chair Jesica Mackey provided statements highlighting protection of employees, customers and families and modernization of indoor air policy. - The AHA thanked the council for leadership and directed readers to heart.org for more information on e-cigarette and secondhand aerosol health risks. - Contact information for media and public inquiries was provided in the source, and the AHA reiterated its broader mission and resources.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
American Heart Association Applauds Richland County for Expanding Clean Indoor Air Protections | American Heart Association × --> Search Menu Published: September 22, 2026 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print COLUMBIA, SC, Sept. 22, 2026 — The American Heart Association is applauding Richland County Council's approval of an ordinance that expands the county's existing smoke-free workplace protections to include electronic smoking devices and vaping products. The ordinance, approved on the third and final reading on September 15, prohibits vaping in covered indoor workplaces and customer-facing areas throughout unincorporated Richland County, including restaurants, retail stores and shared work environments. The measure also establishes a 15-foot smoke- and vape-free buffer around entrances and exits to covered facilities. "Richland County has once again demonstrated its commitment to protecting public health by ensuring clean indoor air policies reflect today's tobacco products and emerging health risks," said Andrew Wylam, South Carolina government relations director, American Heart Association - Columbia. "This is a commonsense step that helps protect employees, customers and families from involuntary exposure to secondhand aerosols. Everyone deserves to work, dine, shop and spend time indoors without being exposed to secondhand aerosol." "Our goal is to ensure that employees, customers and families are protected from exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol in indoor public places," said Richland County Council Chair Jesica Mackey. "This update modernizes our clean indoor air protections and helps create healthier environments throughout Richland County." While many people believe vaping produces only harmless water vapor, e-cigarettes emit an aerosol that can contain nicotine, metals, volatile organic compounds and other potentially harmful substances. Individuals nearby can be exposed to these chemicals through secondhand aerosols. Research has shown that exposure to e-cigarette aerosol can contribute to inflammation and impaired blood vessel function, which are associated with cardiovascular disease. Public health experts agree that secondhand aerosols are not harmless and that comprehensive indoor policies are the most effective way to protect the public from exposure. "This ordinance ensures people with heart disease, asthma and other underlying health conditions are better protected while maintaining clear, consistent standards for businesses and the public," Wylam said. The American Heart Association thanked Richland County Council for its leadership in advancing clean indoor air protections and helping create healthier environments for everyone who lives, works and visits the county. To learn more about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes and secondhand aerosol exposure, visit heart.org . ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: Maranda Williams, maranda.williams@heart.org For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) heart.org and stroke.org Related Images American Heart Association logo Heart and Torch with American Heart Association text. https://www.heart.org/en Usage agreement copyright American Heart Association Download (98.4 kB) American Heart Association logo Heart and Torch with American Heart Association text. https://www.heart.org/en Usage agreement copyright American Heart Association Please see AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy . I have read the AHA/ASA Multimedia Materials Usage Policy and agree to the terms of use Download (98.4 kB) File Permalink This link is provided for convenience only and is not an endorsement of either the linked-to entity or any product or service. CLOSE PROCEED
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