Airports And Smoking: Designated Areas And Rules Explained

Smoking is a health hazard and is not permitted in many public spaces. However, there are still designated smoking areas in airports across the globe. These areas may be indoor or outdoor, and can be found in airports in the United States, India, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Vietnam, Romania, France, Egypt, China, Australia, Ireland, and many other countries.

Locations of smoking areas in airports

As of 2024, most US hub airports are entirely smoke-free indoors, including Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Salt Lake City, JFK, and Newark. However, some airports still provide designated smoking areas, both indoors and outdoors, to accommodate travellers who smoke.

The availability and location of smoking areas vary across airports. Some airports, like McCarran Las Vegas, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati-Northern KY, and Biloxi, still allow indoor smoking. For example, at the time of writing, Nashville International Airport (BNA) has the Travelers Post Smoking Lounge near Gate B10, and Biloxi (GPT) has a smoking room by Gate 1.

Some airports provide outdoor smoking areas, often located past security or near specific gates. For instance, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport has a courtyard attached to the terminal with a smoking corner, fountains, tables, and a walking path. Tampa International Airport (TPA) also has smoking areas at each set of gates, and while technically outdoors, they are covered. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Miami International Airport (MIA) also offer courtyards for smokers.

Internationally, many major airports are now entirely smoke-free, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok. However, some international airports, particularly in Asia, continue to provide designated smoking areas. For example, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) in China, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport (YTY) in Jiangsu, China, and Cam Ranh International Airport (CXR) in Vietnam all have smoking areas.

Tips for Finding Smoking Areas

Websites like AirportSmokers.com provide comprehensive information on smoking areas in airports worldwide, with reviews and updates from travellers. Additionally, many airport websites offer details on the locations of their smoking areas, and airport staff can also provide guidance on finding these designated areas.

Smoking inside vs. outside airports

Smoking Inside Airports:

Smoking lounges or designated smoking areas inside airport terminals offer a convenient option for travellers who wish to smoke before or after their flights. These indoor smoking areas are typically equipped with matches, ashtrays, and, in some cases, even sell cigarettes and cigars. Airports such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Mumbai, India, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport provide smoking lounges in both departure and arrival terminals. Some airports, like Hamad International Airport, have strict no-smoking policies outside these designated indoor smoking lounges, ensuring a comfortable and smoke-free environment for non-smokers.

Pros:

• Convenience for travellers who can smoke without exiting the terminal.
• Availability of dedicated spaces and smoking-related amenities.
• Potential revenue generation through the sale of cigarettes and smoking accessories.

Cons:

• Exposure to second-hand smoke for non-smoking travellers and airport staff.
• Increased cleaning and maintenance requirements due to smoke residue and odour.
• Potential fire hazards if smoking areas are not properly monitored and equipped with safety measures.

Smoking Outside Airports:

On the other hand, some airports choose to restrict smoking to outdoor areas only, often located near ticketing and baggage claim sections. Airports like Salt Lake City International Airport and Miami International Airport have designated smoking spots outside the terminals, usually a certain distance from the entrances. This approach ensures that non-smokers are not exposed to second-hand smoke within the terminal and can enjoy a healthier and more pleasant indoor environment.

Pros:

• Protection of non-smokers from second-hand smoke exposure.
• Reduced fire hazards and smoke-related maintenance issues within the terminal.
• Compliance with smoke-free public space regulations in certain countries or states.

Cons:

• Inconvenience for travellers who have to exit the terminal to smoke, especially during inclement weather.
• Potential security concerns as smokers may have to go through security screening again after returning indoors.
• Limited availability of designated outdoor smoking areas, leading to possible littering and environmental concerns.

In conclusion, the debate around smoking inside vs. outside airports involves considerations for traveller convenience, health, safety, and maintenance. While indoor smoking lounges offer a dedicated space for smokers, they may pose health and maintenance challenges. Conversely, restricting smoking to outdoor areas only protects non-smokers but may inconvenience travellers who have to exit the terminal. Ultimately, each airport authority must weigh these factors and make decisions that best serve the needs of their diverse traveller population.

Smoking in airport restaurants and bars

Smoking is a health hazard and is banned in enclosed public spaces in many countries. However, there are still designated smoking areas in airport restaurants and bars across the globe.

For example, in the Netherlands, smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, but Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has several smoking lounges and rooms located before and after passport control. After passport control, most smoking lounges are located inside airport bars.

In the United States, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas allows smoking at the gaming lounges located at the B, C, D, and E Gates, as well as Barney's Lounge in Gate C and the Bud 29 Track Lounge in the T1 Esplanade. Miami International Airport (MIA) does not permit e-cigarette use indoors, but there is an open-air atrium attached to the airport's TGI Fridays restaurant near Gate D-36 where smoking is allowed.

In India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport in Mumbai has smoking lounges located throughout the airport in both the departure and arrival terminals.

While smoking is not permitted in public areas at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, smokers can access lounges located around the airport, including at least one, sometimes two, smoking lounges in each concourse except Concourse D.

Airports with smoking lounges

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has at least one, sometimes two, smoking lounges in each of its concourses, except Concourse D. These include Concourse B7, B24, C15, C28, D5, D7, E8, E17, and E30.

McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)

McCarran International Airport has indoor smoking areas above baggage claim in Terminal 1, in the Great Hall near Terminal D, and between Gates E1 and E14 in Terminal 3. There are also outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim, and indoor smoking is allowed at the gaming lounges located at the B, C, D, and E Gates, as well as Barney's Lounge in Gate C and the Bud 29 Track Lounge in the T1 Esplanade.

Hamad International Airport

Hamad International Airport maintains a strict no-smoking policy outside of its designated smoking lounges, which are located in the departures terminals throughout the airport. The airport has 14 smoking lounges in Terminal 1 and 19 in Terminal 2, which are clearly marked and can be easily found using airport maps.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has several smoking lounges and rooms located before and after passport control. Before passport control, smoking areas are located outside Schiphol Plaza, and after passport control, most smoking lounges are located inside airport bars.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, Mumbai, India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport has smoking lounges located throughout the airport in both the departure and arrival terminals. In Terminal 1, there is a smoking lounge in the arrival hall next to Belt Five and departures between Gates 26 and 27. Terminal 2 has smoking lounges at Level 4 retail, Gate 28 (international departures), Level 3 retail, Gate 42, and Gate 47 (domestic departures). There are also additional lounges in the arrivals hall on Level 2, between Bag Belts 1 and 2, near Belt 5, and near Belt 12.

Washington Dulles International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport has designated smoking lounges located throughout the airport at each concourse near Gates B37, B73, C2, and D30.

Nashville International Airport

Nashville International Airport has the Graycliff Cigar Company, which offers two in-house smoking lounges. The first is at Concourse B by Gate B-10, and the second is at Concourse C by Gate C-10.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has one of three Graycliff Lounges located near Gate B11. For a minimal entrance fee, travellers get full-day access to the lounge and a complimentary drink. The lounge sells cigarettes and cigars, as well as coffee and chocolate. Please note that you must be 21 or older to use this lounge.

Airports with outdoor smoking areas

Las Vegas

Las Vegas airport is well-known for its indoor smoking areas, and travellers report that it is possible to smoke inside the airport without having to go through TSA screening again.

Greenville-Spartanburg

This airport has a courtyard attached to the terminal with a smoking corner, fountains, tables, and a walking path.

LAX

LAX also has a courtyard for smokers.

Tampa

Tampa International Airport has outdoor smoking areas past security. These are covered areas and are located at each set of gates.

Miami

Miami International Airport has an atrium by TGI Friday's where smoking is permitted.

Washington Dulles

This airport has four designated smoking areas.

Nashville

Nashville International Airport has the Traveller's Post Smoking Lounge near Gate B10.

Nassau

The Graycliff Airport Lounge near Gate C-41 at Nassau International Airport is a designated smoking area.

Denver

Denver International Airport used to have a smoke lounge on the second floor. It is not known if this is still open.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City International Airport used to have a smoking area, but this was closed when the airport was renovated.

San Jose, California

San Jose International Airport in California had an outdoor smoking area about seven years ago.

Cairns, Australia

Cairns Airport in Australia is one of the more recent airports to add a smoking area.

Knock, Ireland

Ireland's West Airport Knock also has a smoking area.

International Terminals

Many international terminals allow smoking, and travellers report that it is often easier to find an indoor smoking area in an international terminal.

Frequently asked questions