Jazmin Li
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy, joining the ranks of airports around the world that prioritise the health of passengers and staff. This means that smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated outdoor areas in front of the terminals, at least 25 feet from entrances. As a result, you cannot buy cigarettes at the airport. This article will explore the impact of SLC's decision to go smokefree and how it aligns with the ongoing decline in smoking rates and shifting public expectations for healthier, smokefree environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking inside the airport | Not allowed |
| Smoking outside the airport | Permitted in designated areas in front of the terminals, 25 feet from entrances |
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What You'll Learn
- Salt Lake City International Airport has a 100% smokefree indoor air policy
- Smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas in front of the terminal
- Salt Lake City Airport once had smoking lounges
- Most US airports have adopted smokefree indoor policies
- Smokefree airports are good for health and business
Salt Lake City International Airport has a 100% smokefree indoor air policy
Prior to the policy change, smoking was permitted in designated areas in front of the terminals, 25 feet from the entrances. However, as of 2016, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced that the airport would transition to a smokefree environment, joining many other airports around the world that have made the same change.
The decision to implement a smokefree policy was influenced by a few factors. Firstly, there is greater awareness of the health hazards of second-hand smoke, and the number of people who smoke has been declining. Public expectations have also shifted towards a preference for healthier, smokefree environments. Additionally, it came to light that the presence of smoking lounges in airports was influenced by the tobacco industry, which targeted hub airports like Salt Lake City International Airport to maintain indoor smoking areas despite the health risks.
While the airport is now smokefree indoors, smoking and vaping, including e-cigarettes, are still permitted in designated outdoor areas in front of the terminal. This allows smokers to have a designated space to smoke while still maintaining a smokefree environment for those inside the airport.
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Smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas in front of the terminal
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy. This policy was announced by Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski in May 2016, and the airport successfully completed the transition by the end of that year.
Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated areas in front of the terminal, 25 feet from entrances. This is in line with the shift towards smokefree zones outside entrances adopted by many airports, which is beneficial for the health of all individuals in the airport and makes good business sense.
Smoking areas inside the airport, such as the repurposed smoking lounge, have been closed. This is in recognition of the health hazards posed by secondhand smoke, the decline in the number of smokers, and shifting public expectations for healthier, smokefree environments.
Designated smoking areas are provided for travellers who wish to smoke or vape before entering the airport. These areas are located in front of the terminal, at a distance from the entrances, and users should be mindful of the potential impact of secondhand smoke on others in the vicinity.
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Salt Lake City Airport once had smoking lounges
Salt Lake City International Airport once had smoking lounges, but as of 2016, the airport has been 100% smoke-free indoors. This move was led by Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, who announced in May 2016 that the airport would be smoke-free by the end of the year.
The transition to a smoke-free airport involved phasing out the smoking rooms, with the process beginning in July 2016. This change brought Salt Lake City International Airport in line with the growing number of airports worldwide that prioritise the health of passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and employees by ensuring smoke-free indoor air.
Prior to this transition, indoor smoking in airports was common due to pressure from the tobacco industry. Secret internal documents from tobacco companies like Philip Morris revealed that they targeted hub airports to maintain indoor smoking, despite clear evidence of the health hazards of second-hand smoke.
The removal of smoking lounges at Salt Lake City International Airport was met with mixed reactions. Some people expressed disappointment, viewing the smoking lounges as a unique feature that set the airport apart. Others recognised the health benefits of a smoke-free environment, not only for overall health but also for individuals with asthma, who can now breathe easier without the risks associated with second-hand smoke.
Currently, smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated areas in front of the terminals, 25 feet from entrances. This designated smoking area is located outdoors, requiring smokers to go outside the airport to use it.
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Most US airports have adopted smokefree indoor policies
As of 2024, nearly all US hub airports are 100% smokefree indoors, including Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Salt Lake City, JFK, and Newark, to name a few. Salt Lake City International Airport, for example, implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy in 2016, joining the ranks of airports prioritizing the health of passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and employees. This transition involved phasing out smoking rooms and repurposing them into more useful spaces, such as seating areas and retail shops.
A study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in 2017 found that 23 of the world's 50 busiest airports have smokefree indoor policies. As of January 2020, 31 of the 35 busiest US airports were 100% smokefree, with more than 600 US airports adopting similar policies due to local or state laws or airport authority regulations. This shift towards smokefree policies is a result of increasing awareness of the health hazards of secondhand smoke, the decline in smoking rates, and shifting public expectations for healthier environments.
However, as of April 1, 2025, there are still three major US airports that permit smoking in designated indoor areas: Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. These airports have specific lounges and outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim sections where smoking is allowed.
While most US airports have embraced smokefree indoor policies, some airports are going even further by adopting smokefree zones outside entrances and in semi-enclosed areas such as garages and shuttle stops. This comprehensive approach not only benefits the health of all individuals within airport premises but also makes good business sense, attracting a wider range of travellers who can expect a healthier and more comfortable journey.
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Smokefree airports are good for health and business
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy. While smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas in front of the terminals, 25 feet from entrances, the indoor smoking lounges have been phased out. This transition to a smokefree airport is driven by the health hazards of secondhand smoke, which can trigger asthma attacks and increase the risk of chronic diseases for airport workers.
Salt Lake City International Airport is not alone in its efforts to create a smokefree environment. Many airports worldwide, including major hubs in Asia, have adopted similar policies. Additionally, airports in the United States, such as Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, have also closed their smoking lounges, repurposing the spaces into seating areas, retail shops, and charging stations.
These smokefree policies are not only beneficial for the health of passengers and employees but also make good business sense. By eliminating indoor smoking, airports can improve the overall experience for travellers, providing additional amenities and a healthier environment.
Furthermore, smokefree zones outside entrances and in semi-enclosed areas, such as garages and shuttle stops, can be particularly important for individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions. This not only ensures their health and safety but also encourages their ability to travel without health concerns.
The transition to smokefree airports is a positive step towards prioritizing the well-being of employees and travellers, while also creating opportunities for improved business operations and enhanced customer satisfaction. By addressing the health hazards of secondhand smoke and providing alternative spaces, airports can foster a healthier and more comfortable environment for all stakeholders.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy.
Smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated areas in front of the terminals, 25 feet from entrances.
The airport has shops, restaurants, elevators, and wheelchair services. There are also cash-to-card kiosks, free airport Wi-Fi, and Mother's Rooms for breastfeeding or milk expression.
