Jazmin Li
As of January 2, 2020, smoking and vaping inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is prohibited. Before the ban, there were about a dozen post-security spaces throughout the airport's sprawling terminals where travellers could smoke. However, concerns about exposing travellers and employees to second-hand smoke, as well as a city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping in enclosed spaces, led to the closure of these indoor smoking areas. Today, travellers can find designated smoking areas outside of the domestic and international terminals at least 25 feet from the entrances. Passengers who violate the ban are subject to a $200 fine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking allowed inside the airport | No |
| Smoking areas inside the airport | No |
| Designated smoking areas outside the airport | Yes |
| Fines for smoking outside designated areas | Yes |
| Vaping allowed inside the airport | No |
| Fines for vaping inside the airport | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) closed all smoking areas on January 2, 2020
- Designated smoking areas are now outside of the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the entrances
- Passengers who violate the ban are subject to a $200 fine
- ATL previously had about a dozen post-security smoking spaces
- Other airports with smoking lounges include Tampa, Memphis, and Salt Lake City
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) closed all smoking areas on January 2, 2020
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) closed all indoor smoking areas and lounges on January 2, 2020, to comply with an enhanced city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside bars, restaurants, and enclosed spaces. The airport previously had about a dozen post-security smoking spaces throughout its sprawling terminals, including a new lounge in the Concourse F mezzanine level of the international terminal complex.
The decision to close the smoking areas was influenced by concerns about exposing travellers and airport employees to second-hand smoke, which the U.S. Surgeon General has determined has no risk-free level of exposure. While airport officials initially argued that the lounges benefited both smokers and non-smokers by containing second-hand smoke and preventing smoking in inappropriate areas, they ultimately conceded to the city-wide ordinance.
As a result of the ban, travellers who smoke or vape at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport must now use designated outdoor smoking areas located at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances. Persons who violate the ordinance and smoke or vape inside the airport are subject to a civil penalty of up to a $200 fine.
To help with the transition, ATL posted signs and made announcements on the overhead PA system, the Plane Train, and the SkyTrain. Additionally, from January 2 to January 31, about two dozen concessionaires at ATL offered free FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy lozenges to help travellers manage their nicotine needs.
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Designated smoking areas are now outside of the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the entrances
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has designated smoking areas outside of the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the entrances. These designated smoking areas are the only places within the airport where smoking is permitted.
Before the ordinance banning smoking and vaping in enclosed public spaces came into effect on 2 January 2020, there were about a dozen post-security spaces throughout the airport's sprawling terminals where travellers could smoke. These included smoking lounges initially funded by the Philip Morris cigarette company in advance of the 1996 Summer Olympics.
However, concerns about exposing travellers and airport employees to second-hand smoke led to the closure of these indoor smoking areas. While Atlanta Airport officials had argued that the lounges benefited non-smokers by keeping second-hand smoke away from them and by discouraging smokers from lighting up in restrooms, the U.S. Surgeon General has determined that there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
Passengers who smoke outside of the designated areas will be subject to a $200 fine or other penalties. To help travellers locate the nearest designated smoking area, Atlanta International Airport provides an interactive map on its website.
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Passengers who violate the ban are subject to a $200 fine
Smoking is prohibited inside the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) terminals. However, there are designated smoking areas outside the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the entrances.
The airport previously had smoking lounges, but these were closed on January 2, 2020, to comply with an enhanced city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside enclosed spaces. The closure of the smoking lounges was also in response to concerns about exposing travellers and airport employees to second-hand smoke, which the U.S. Surgeon General has determined has no risk-free level of exposure.
The airport now offers designated smoking areas that are carefully positioned to reduce smoke exposure to non-smoking passengers. These areas can be found using an interactive map, which helps smokers maintain compliance with airport regulations and reduces inconvenience to non-smokers.
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ATL previously had about a dozen post-security smoking spaces
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) previously had about a dozen post-security smoking spaces throughout its sprawling terminals. However, as of January 1, 2019, all of these smoking areas were closed to comply with an enhanced city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside bars, restaurants, and enclosed spaces. This ordinance is enforced by the Atlanta Police Department, and those who violate it are subject to a $200 fine.
The decision to close the smoking lounges came after years of concern about exposing travellers and airport employees to second-hand smoke. Before the ban, airport officials defended the existence of smoking lounges, arguing that they were a convenient option for passengers and that they prevented smokers from lighting up in inappropriate and unsafe places, such as restrooms.
Despite the closure of the indoor smoking lounges, travellers can still find designated smoking areas outside of the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances.
The number of airports in the United States with smoking lounges is dwindling, with Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Denver International Airport (DEN) also closing their smoking lounges in recent years.
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Other airports with smoking lounges include Tampa, Memphis, and Salt Lake City
As of January 1, 2019, smoking inside Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is prohibited to comply with an enhanced city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside bars, restaurants, and enclosed spaces. Before the ban, there were about a dozen designated smoking areas throughout the airport's sprawling terminals. Now, travellers who wish to smoke or vape must do so outside the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the entrances. Those who defy the ban are subject to a $200 fine.
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Frequently asked questions
Smoking is prohibited inside the Atlanta Airport (ATL) terminals. However, there are designated smoking areas outside the domestic and international terminals at least 25 feet from the entrances.
No, all indoor smoking areas in Atlanta Airport were closed on 2 January 2020, due to an enhanced city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside bars, restaurants, and enclosed spaces.
Passengers found smoking outside designated smoking zones will be fined $200 and may also have to pay other penalties.
Yes, as of 2019, smokers could still find an indoor place to light up at Dulles International Airport, and at airports in Tampa, Memphis, and several other cities. However, the number of airports in the US with indoor smoking areas is dwindling.
From 2 January to 31 January 2020, about two dozen concessionaires at ATL gave away free FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy lozenges to help travellers adjust to the new rules.
