Indianapolis Airport Smoking: What's The Deal?

can you smoke at the indianapolis airport

As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, including Indianapolis International Airport. This means that smoking is prohibited both indoors and outdoors at the airport, and all smoking areas have been removed. However, some travellers have reported the existence of a special smoking lounge in the airport, located near the Airport Police office close to Terminal C.

Characteristics Values
Smoking allowed No
Smoking areas Removed
Indoors 100% smoke-free
Outdoors 100% smoke-free
Smoking lounge Previously existed near Terminal C

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Indianapolis Airport is now 100% non-smoking

Indianapolis Airport has implemented a 100% non-smoking policy, joining a growing number of airports worldwide that prioritize the health of employees and travellers over tobacco industry profits.

As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, and Indianapolis has joined their ranks. This means that all smoking areas have been removed, and no one is allowed to smoke anywhere in the airport. The airport director, Bob Duncan, acknowledges that the ordinance changes behaviour patterns, but it is a necessary step to protect public health.

Secondhand smoke from designated smoking areas in airports can waft throughout the building, affecting not only travellers but also airport employees. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger heart attacks, strokes, or asthma attacks in at-risk individuals, and long-term exposure increases the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

The Indianapolis Airport's new policy aligns with the trend towards smoke-free airports internationally, with major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok also implementing 100% smoke-free policies. This shift reflects the fact that 90% of U.S. adults are non-smokers and reinforces the importance of providing a healthy environment for all.

While some smokers may feel inconvenienced by the ban, the airport's decision is a positive step towards creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for the majority.

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There is a hotel right across the street from the airport that has a bar which allows smoking

Smoking is banned on the entire property of the Indianapolis International Airport. However, according to a Tripadvisor review, there is a hotel right across the street from the airport that has a bar which allows smoking. The review mentions that the hotel used to be a Hilton, but the name has since changed. The same review also mentions that there is a special smoking lounge in the airport, located by the Airport Police office near Terminal C.

While smoking is banned at the Indianapolis International Airport, there are some towns near Indianapolis that allow smoking in bars, such as Beech Grove, Fishers, Greenwood, and Avon. In Indianapolis, smoking is allowed in hookah bars, cigar bars, and state-licensed gaming facilities. However, whether these places allow smoking depends on the laws of the county and the owner of the facility.

Some hotels near the Indianapolis International Airport include the Holiday Inn Indianapolis Airport, which offers an indoor heated pool, a restaurant, and a bar; the Residence Inn by Marriott Indianapolis Plainfield, located 13 miles from the airport; and the White House Suites, located 12 miles from the airport in Plainfield, which offers comfortable guest rooms with fully-equipped kitchenettes and free WiFi.

The Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Airport is another hotel near the airport that offers rooms with balconies where guests can step outside to smoke. The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Airport is located seconds from the airport and provides air-conditioned rooms and a bar. The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Airport is also located near the airport and offers free bikes and barbecue facilities.

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The town of Beech Grove, located on the southeast side of Indianapolis, allows smoking in all bars

Indianapolis has a comprehensive smoking ban, which includes exceptions for private clubs, tobacco shops, and cigar bars. The ban also extends to the Indianapolis International Airport, where smoking is banned across the entire property. However, one source mentions a special smoking lounge in the airport, located by the Airport Police office near Terminal C.

Despite the ban, the town of Beech Grove, located on the southeast side of Indianapolis, allows smoking in all its bars. Some notable mentions include O'Gara's Irish Pub, The Grove Sports Bar, Lucky's Pub, Nite Owls, and The Silver Bullet.

Beech Grove's exception to the smoking ban in Indianapolis is not unique. Nearby towns like Fishers, Greenwood, Whiteland, and Avon also allow smoking in their bars, although only a few choose to permit it.

While Indianapolis has strict smoking restrictions, there are still options for smokers, including hookah bars, sports bars, and pubs in the towns surrounding the city.

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The Indy Speedway allowed smoking outdoors until 2018

The Indianapolis Airport is a smoke-free zone, both indoors and outdoors. While there are some airports that still allow smoking in designated areas, Indianapolis Airport is not one of them.

However, there are some exceptions to the smoking rules in the Indianapolis area. For example, the town of Beech Grove, located on the southeast side of the city, allows smoking in all its bars. The town of Fishers, located on the northeast side, also permits smoking in bars, although only a few choose to allow it. Similarly, the town of Greenwood, located on the south side, allows smoking in bars, but again, only a few choose to exercise this option.

The Indy Speedway, a popular destination for racing enthusiasts, had more relaxed rules regarding smoking until 2018. Previously, smoking was permitted outdoors, including in the garage area and pits. However, in 2018, a change in policy meant that smoking was no longer allowed in the grandstands. This change brought the Indy Speedway in line with the increasing number of smoke-free spaces across the country.

Today, if visitors to the Indy Speedway wish to smoke, they must do so at least 20 feet away from any buildings, seating entrances, and infield viewing mounds. This policy includes the use of electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and similar products. The Speedway's management reserves the right to update these regulations at any time without notice, reflecting the evolving nature of smoking policies in public spaces.

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Secondhand smoke is a health hazard, and smoking rooms in airports do not prevent smoke from spreading throughout the building

Indianapolis Airport is now a 100% non-smoking airport. While there used to be a designated smoking area at the end of the terminal, all smoking areas have been removed. This change was implemented by the airport director, Bob Duncan, who acknowledged that the ordinance changes a behaviour pattern.

As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, including Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Salt Lake City, JFK, and Newark. Some airports, like Indianapolis, are also smoke-free outdoors, eliminating the toxic smoke surrounding building entrances and shuttle stops.

The tobacco industry has fought relentlessly to keep smoking in airports, undermining smokefree policies and maximising smoking rates. However, with 90% of U.S. adults being non-smokers, it is time that airports prioritise public health over tobacco industry profits.

While some smokers may feel penalised or like outcasts due to these changes, the health benefits for both travellers and employees must be prioritised.

Frequently asked questions

No, the Indianapolis Airport is now 100% non-smoking. All of the smoking areas have been removed and no one is allowed to smoke anywhere on the premises.

Yes, as of 2024, some US airports that still allow indoor smoking include McCarran Las Vegas, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati-Northern KY, and Biloxi.

There is a hotel right across the street from the airport that has a bar. There is also a special smoking lounge in the airport, believed to be by the Airport Police office near Terminal C.

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