The AI bubble has burst, affecting the stock market as well as self-driving cars. One of the leading companies in the business, Waymo, is facing a new investigation over school bus violations. As a vaper, I am always curious about one thing: can you vape in a Waymo?
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Waymo Rider Rules Say About Vaping
The answer is NO. Waymo explicitly states that “Don’t smoke, vape or consume drugs & alcohol in the car”. Waymo strictly forbids vaping in the car, and the consequences are pretty high, which makes the Waymo pricing more reasonable.
It’s noticeable that the Waymo Rider Rules are regulations set by the company. Whether it is illegal to vape in the car varies across different states.
Is It Illegal to Vape in the Car?
Vaping in your own car does not necessarily count as a DUI, but vaping on public buses or in taxis is illegal in some states, and this can impose government fines on the passenger. So far (November 10, 2026), there are 27 states with laws and regulations that ban vaping in the car (public service vehicles), and you will be fined accordingly. Here are the 3 examples:
| State | Relevant vehicles covered | State fine for the passenger | Vaping restriction effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Taxicabs and other public conveyances, subject to statutory smoking-area exceptions. | $25. | October 1, 2026 |
| Illinois | Vehicles used by and open to the public, whether publicly or privately owned. | $100 for the first offense; $250 for each subsequent offense. | January 1, 2024 |
| Tennessee | Taxicabs and other transportation covered by the Non-Smoker Protection Act. | $50 for knowingly violating the prohibition. | July 1, 2021 |
| Minnesota | Taxis, limousines, vans and other covered vehicles for hire. | Up to $300, classified as a petty misdemeanor. | August 1, 2019 |
| Colorado | Taxicabs and limousines. | Up to $300 under the current petty-offense provisions. | July 1, 2019 |
Scope: This table covers taxis and vehicles open to the public, excluding bus-only restrictions. Dates indicate when vaping became covered by the relevant law, rather than when the original cigarette-smoking ban began. The fines shown are government penalties, separate from any company cleaning fee.
Tie at fifth: New Hampshire’s amendment explicitly including vaping also became effective July 1, 2019, sharing Colorado’s effective date.
How Does Waymo Know You Vaped On the Ride?
We all know that in order to prevent underage vaping, vape detectors are implemented on the school buses, toilets, and other campus areas. Does Waymo have a vape detector, and how does it even know we vape in a Waymo? Here are my hypotheses:
(1) Cameras Inside the Car Caught You Vaping
From the official Waymo Help page, we can learn that the autonomous vehicles are equipped with cameras and microphones. This helps us rule out the use of vape detectors in a Waymo. The former is meant to “make sure cars are clean” and “check that in-car rules are being followed”. This is the most reliable way for Waymo to catch you red-handed and as proof to charge you for vaping or smoking in a Waymo. Voluntary review and charging by Waymo is possible.
(2) Another Rider Reporting You
Although you exhale vapor rather than smoke, the smell still lingers in the car’s interior. People who hire a Waymo after you may notice this and report it. The support team will then review footage from previous rides and identify which rider is responsible. A Reddit post 2 years ago showed us a rider was charged $100 for smoking in the car, and the stickied comment explained how Waymo knows you vaped or smoked in the car in great detail.
The Cost of Vaping in A Waymo
How much will I be fined for vaping in a Waymo? The pricing of Waymo might be lower than Uber or Lyft, but the fine you need to pay for vaping or smoking in the car is no better than a big tip for Waymo, as the fine could be charged in two different ways.
(1) Waymo’s Company Charge
In my opinion, the extra fee caused by vaping or keeping your vape in a Waymo is more complicated and may cost you more. The vehicle cleaning fee charges you differently when you vape in Waymo or when part of your vape, such as e-juice leaks, contaminates the interior. If your vape leaks, you need to self-report this mess, and this will cost you $50. If you don’t report this to Waymo, the fine will be $100 for the first violation.
If your vape is intact and you can’t resist the cravings for nicotine, a vehicle cleaning fee of $100 may be charged for smoking or vaping inside a Waymo. Waymo will charge you the cost of cleaning and change your account status if you repeatedly violate this regulation. This cleaning fee is for the contamination caused by the vapor you exhale. And the interesting part is that the following passengers don’t get compensation, but the company receives the fine.
(2) Penalties by Local Vaping Laws
After Waymo charges you once, a government fine may follow. Waymo is another type of taxi in nature from my perspective, and the laws about vaping aboard taxis can apply as well. After comparing the official service list of Waymo and how different states regulate vaping in taxis, I’ve found 2 cities where you might be fined twice if you vape in a Waymo: Denver, Colorado, and Nashville, Tennessee.
| State | Relevant vehicles covered | State fine for the passenger | Vaping restriction effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Taxis, limousines, vans and other covered vehicles for hire. | Up to $300, classified as a petty misdemeanor. | August 1, 2019 |
| Colorado | Taxicabs and limousines. | Up to $300 under the current petty-offense provisions. | July 1, 2019 |
Until this blog is posted, there is no record yet of any passengers violating the no-vaping rule in Waymo getting fined twice.
How to Avoid Vaping Fines in A Waymo?
Basically, you shouldn’t vape in a Waymo, as it’s impossible to avoid cameras capturing you violating the rules. The vapor smell may linger even if you leave the windows open for a while. If you want to avoid vaping fines during your Waymo ride, you should use other nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, to avoid leaving odor and stains.
Conclusion
As self-driving cars reduce our burden and boost efficiency, vaping as an alternative to smoking may reduce the harm and help smokers. However, exposing others to vapor is still not right. When we take a taxi, a bus, or a robotaxi, we shouldn’t vape inside, too. I am just glad that they haven’t really put an AI chip in any vape yet, so I can vape freely without surveillance. Generally speaking, can you vape in a Waymo? No, you can’t. If you must, that will be the most expensive puffs you’ve enjoyed.
FAQ about Waymo & Vaping
1. Can I stay in the trunk of a Waymo to vape or smoke?
No. The rider rules tell you to buckle up and the trunk is still “inside” the car. You might be fined double for violating two rules in a row.
2. Does Waymo use vape detectors to monitor passengers?
No. There is no reliable information about whether there are vape detectors in a Waymo car.
3. Can I hit a hemp disposable vape in a Waymo?
No. Any drug use is against the rules, no matter whether it’s permitted by local laws or not.
