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Smoking is prohibited by almost all airlines and governments worldwide, with bans imposed as early as the 1980s. While airports may provide designated smoking areas, smoking on board an aircraft is strictly forbidden due to safety and health risks. Violators face fines, arrest, and potential legal consequences, especially on international flights. Despite the ban, some smokers express a desire for designated smoking areas in airports, while others prefer a completely smoke-free environment.
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What You'll Learn
Airports with smoking lounges
Smoking is prohibited by almost all airlines and governments worldwide. However, there are designated smoking areas at airports around the world, where smokers can light up before boarding their flight. Here are some airports with smoking lounges:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, India
There are smoking lounges located throughout this airport in both the departure and arrival terminals. In Terminal 1, the smoking lounge is located in the arrival hall next to Belt Five and in departures between Gates 26 and 27. Terminal 2's smoking lounges are located in the Level 4 retail area, 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 Belts 1 and 2, near Belt 5, and near Belt 12.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA
The world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, has at least two smoking lounges in each concourse. These include Concourse B7, B24, C15, C28, D5, D7, E8, E17, and E30. If you want a beer with your cigarette, head to the Heineken Bar & Grill in Concourse A.
Washington Dulles International Airport, USA
This airport has lounges located across from Gates B37, C2, and D30.
Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Schiphol Airport has a smoking lounge located in the transit area of Terminal T1. There is no charge to enter, and the lounge is spacious and well-designed, with smoke extractors. After passport control, most smoking lounges are located inside airport bars.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, India
There are smoking lounges located throughout this airport in both the departure and arrival terminals. In Terminal 1, the smoking lounge is located in the arrival hall next to Belt Five and in departures between Gates 26 and 27. Terminal 2's smoking lounges are located in the Level 4 retail area, 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 Belts 1 and 2, near Belt 5, and near Belt 12.
Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
Ataturk Airport has a smoking area, complete with matches and ashtrays.
Other airports with smoking lounges include:
- Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, USA
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, USA
- McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, USA
- Tampa International Airport, USA
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In-flight smoking bans
Smoking has long been a part of air travel, with airlines even distributing cigarettes to passengers. However, since the 1980s, there has been a gradual shift towards banning smoking on flights. This shift was driven by health concerns, advocacy from flight attendants and health advocates, and incidents involving fires and crashes caused by smoking. Today, in-flight smoking is prohibited by almost all airlines and many governments worldwide, with violators facing fines, arrest, and detention.
The push for smoke-free flights began as early as 1969, with consumer advocate Ralph Nader calling for a smoking ban on airlines. Despite initial resistance from tobacco companies and airlines, gradual progress was made. In 1971, United Airlines created a non-smoking section, and in 1976, the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board banned cigar and pipe smoking on aircraft. However, these efforts were met with pushback, and the ban was limited in 1978 due to pressure from tobacco interests.
A series of breakthroughs in the mid-1980s changed the trajectory. The publication of the National Academy of Science's report on the airliner cabin environment in 1986 recommended banning smoking on all commercial flights. This, coupled with lobbying efforts by health advocates, led to congressional action in 1987, resulting in a ban on in-flight smoking. By 1988, airlines in the United States banned smoking on domestic flights of less than two hours, which was gradually extended to all domestic and international flights by 2000.
Other countries followed suit, with Canada becoming the first country to ban smoking on all flights operated by Canadian carriers in 1994, followed by China in 1995, and Japan in 1999. Today, most new aircraft have permanently lit no-smoking signs, and the use of electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco is also prohibited. While some airports still provide designated smoking areas, the trend towards smoke-free environments in air travel is undeniable.
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Airports without smoking areas
Smoking is prohibited on any flight in the world and is only permitted in designated areas in some airports. Airports big and small have repurposed former smoking areas into spaces such as seating areas, retail shops, and charging stations.
In the United States, 32 of the top 35 busiest airports have 100% smoke-free indoor air policies. The three exceptions are Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas has smoking areas in Terminal 1 above baggage claim, in the Great Hall near Terminal D, and between gates E1 and E14 in Terminal 3. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, has at least two smoking lounges in each of its concourses. Washington Dulles International Airport has lounges across from gates B37, C2, and D30. Tampa International Airport is one of the only airports in the country that allows smoking in the open air without having to go through security again. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has a Graycliff Lounge near gate B11.
Outside of the US, smoking is permitted in designated areas at Singapore's Changi Airport and Tunis International Airport in Tunisia. Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, has a smoking area. In Mumbai, India, there are smoking lounges in both the departure and arrival terminals. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, has smoking lounges in the arrival hall next to Belt Five and departures between Gates 26 and 27. In Terminal 2, locations include 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.
In the Netherlands, smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, but Schiphol Airport has a smoking lounge in the transit area of Terminal 1.
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Penalties for smoking on planes
Smoking on airplanes has been prohibited by almost all airlines and governments worldwide. Inflight smoking poses a significant safety risk, as a cigarette butt that is not fully extinguished could cause a fire, and the smoke can harm both the smoker and fellow passengers.
Smoking on airplanes has been banned in a piecemeal manner since the 1980s, with consumer advocate Ralph Nader being among the first to call for a ban in 1969. The first airline to introduce a non-smoking section was United Airlines in 1971, and Delta became the first US airline to ban smoking on all worldwide flights in 1994.
Today, passengers found smoking on non-smoking flights will face penalties, including fines and, in some cases, arrest and detention upon landing. The disruption caused by these incidents may even result in a flight diversion or expedited landing to escort the smoker from the plane. For example, in 2010, a Qatari diplomat was arrested at Denver International Airport for smoking in the onboard lavatory and making threats.
To support smokers, some airports provide designated smoking lounges and outdoor smoking areas. These areas are often fitted with smoke extractors and located in the departures terminals. Additionally, nicotine replacement products can help smokers manage cravings during long-haul flights.
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Airports with outdoor smoking areas
Smoking is prohibited by almost all airlines and governments worldwide. The bans on inflight smoking have been imposed gradually since the 1980s, with the use of electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco also prohibited.
Despite this, there are still airports that provide designated smoking areas for passengers who want to smoke before boarding their flight. Here is a list of airports with outdoor smoking areas:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
The world's busiest airport has at least two smoking lounges in each of its many concourses. Some quick references include Concourse B7, B24, C15, C28, D5, D7, E8, E17, and E30. The Heineken Bar & Grill in the center of Concourse A also accommodates smokers.
McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)
Smoking/slot machine areas are abundant at McCarran International Airport. Passengers can light up in Terminal 1 above baggage claim, in the Great Hall near Terminal D, and between gates E1 and E14 in Terminal 3. The Budweiser Racing Track Bar & Grill by gate C7 allows passengers to pair a drink with their smoke.
Tampa International Airport
Tampa International Airport is one of the few airports in the country that allows passengers to smoke outdoors without having to go through security again.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport has lounges located across from gates B37, C2, and D30.
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Miami International Airport permits smoking outside the terminals on the Arrivals and Departures levels across from Concourse D, E, F, H, and J. Smoking is also allowed in an open-air atrium attached to the airport's TGI Fridays restaurant near Gate D-36.
Nashville International Airport
Nashville International Airport allows smoking in the Travelers Post, Concourse B.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has a Graycliff Lounge near gate B11, selling cigarettes, cigars, chocolate, and coffee. The $6 fee includes a beverage.
Mumbai International Airport (India)
Mumbai International Airport has smoking lounges in both the departure and arrival terminals. In Terminal 1, the arrival hall next to Belt Five and departures between Gates 26 and 27 are designated smoking areas. Terminal 2 includes Level 4 retail, Gate 28 (international departures), Level 3 retail, Gate 42, and Gate 47 (domestic departures). There are additional lounges in the arrivals hall on Level 2, between Bag Belts 1 and 2, near Belt 5, and near Belt 12.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has a spacious smoking lounge in the transit area of Terminal T1, accommodating many passengers. Smoking areas are also located outside Schiphol Plaza before passport control and inside airport bars after passport control.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several airports around the world that provide designated smoking areas for passengers. These include:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)
- Changi Airport, Singapore
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
No, smoking is banned on all flights by almost all airlines and governments worldwide. Smoking on board an aircraft is a safety risk and is harmful to the smoker and fellow passengers.
Passengers found smoking on non-smoking flights will face consequences such as fines, arrest, and detention upon landing. In some cases, the flight may have to be diverted or expedited to escort the smoker from the plane.
