Ruth Haines
Smoking in airports is a public health hazard, and nearly all hub airports in the US have adopted smoke-free indoor policies. However, as of 2025, there are still a few airports that allow smoking indoors, including Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. Additionally, some airports offer designated outdoor smoking areas, such as Washington Dulles International Airport and Tampa International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports that allow indoor smoking | McCarran Las Vegas, Memphis, Nashville, Cincinnati-Northern KY, Biloxi, Miami, and Atlanta |
| Airports with designated smoking areas outside terminals | JFK |
| Airports with smoker-friendly cigar shops and cocktail lounges | Denver |
| Airports with designated smoking areas | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Tampa, Washington Dulles, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, and Nashville |
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What You'll Learn
US airports where smoking is allowed
Smoking on airplanes flying to, from, or within the United States has been banned since 2000. However, as of 2025, there are still a few US airports that allow indoor smoking. These include Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. Las Vegas International Airport has the most areas where smoking is permitted, including designated outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim areas.
Nashville International Airport has a smoking lounge called the Travelers Post Smoke Lounge, located near Gate B10. They serve wine, beer, liquor, coffee, cigars, and other items. A minimum purchase is required for same-day access.
Denver International Airport has the Smokin' Bear Lounge at the Center Core of the C Gates. As of August 2016, there is a $5 minimum purchase requirement to use the lounge, which allows multiple same-day entries.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been described as the most smoker-friendly airport in the US. However, it is worth noting that Atlanta has banned smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including airports. Therefore, smoking may only be permitted in designated outdoor areas.
Other US airports that have allowed indoor smoking in the past include McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Memphis International Airport, Cincinnati-Northern KY International Airport, and Biloxi-Gulfport International Airport. However, it is unclear if these airports still allow smoking as of 2025.
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US airports where smoking is banned
Smoking on airplanes flying to, from, or within the United States has been banned since 2000. Most airports in the United States are completely smoke-free. However, there are still a few US airports where smoking is allowed in designated areas.
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. The most recent airports to implement no-smoking policies were Washington Dulles, Charleston International Airport, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
However, as of 2025, there are still three major US airports that allow indoor smoking: Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. At Harry Reid International Airport, smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas and enclosed gaming lounges near the gates. Miami International Airport permits smoking in an open-air atrium attached to a TGI Friday's restaurant. Nashville International Airport has a smoking lounge near Gate B10, where they serve wine, beer, liquor, coffee, cigars, and other items.
Some smaller airports also have smoking spaces, and 12 of the top 35 US airports have areas where smoking e-cigarettes is permitted. These include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, and Honolulu International Airport.
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Health hazards of smoking in airports
Smoking in airports is a public health hazard. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger heart attacks, strokes, or asthma attacks in at-risk travelers. Long-term exposure increases the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases for airport workers.
In the United States, smoking on airplanes has been banned since 2000. However, as of 2025, there are still a few US airports that allow indoor smoking, including Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. These airports have designated smoking areas, such as enclosed gaming lounges and outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim.
The issue of smoking in airports is not just a matter of indoor air quality but also a potential health hazard for travelers and employees. Secondhand smoke can leak from enclosed airport smoking venues and enter the general air circulation, exposing workers and the public to unsafe levels of particulate matter (PM). The high levels of PM2.5, a common measure of secondhand smoke, are dangerous and can increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Furthermore, small and poorly ventilated designated smoking areas in crowded airports can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory infections. Tobacco smoke contains over 7000 compounds, including nicotine, benzopyrene, arsenic, and cadmium, which are known to irritate the respiratory tract and reduce oxygen transport in the body.
The pushback against smoking in airports is part of a broader trend toward 100% smoke-free policies in public spaces. Many countries and major airports worldwide, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok, have already implemented smoke-free regulations to protect public health and contain the spread of smoke-induced infections.
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Alternatives to smoking lounges in airports
As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, and smoking is prohibited on any flight in the world. However, there are still a few US airports that allow smoking in designated areas. These include Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport.
If you are looking for alternatives to smoking lounges in airports, there are a few options available. Firstly, some airports have designated outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim areas. These areas are usually located just outside the terminals and can provide a quick and convenient option for smokers.
Another alternative is the "pay-to-play" system. Some airports have smoker-friendly cigar shops and cocktail lounges where smokers can purchase access to the lounge by making a minimum purchase from the store. This model ensures that smokers have access to comfortable and designated smoking areas while also generating revenue for the airport.
In addition to lounges, some airports also offer vaping as an alternative to traditional smoking. Vaping may be permitted in designated areas or even inside terminals, depending on local regulations. It is important to check the specific rules of your departure airport and any layover airports you may pass through.
Lastly, nicotine replacement products such as nicotine gum can be a helpful alternative to smoking when travelling. These products can help manage nicotine cravings and are easily portable, making them a convenient option when smoking is not possible.
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State laws on smoking in airports
Smoking in airports is a public health hazard. While most airports in the United States are completely smoke-free, there are still a few airports where smoking is permitted in designated areas. The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation (ANRF) lists the 35 busiest airports in the US by total passenger traffic. As of April 1, 2025, 32 of the top 35 airports have 100% smoke-free indoor air policies. The three exceptions are Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport.
In some states, the issue of smoking or vaping is determined by state or city law. Around 29 states in the US have placed bans on all enclosed workplaces, including airports. However, some states have specific exemptions for smoking in certain areas of airports. For example, in Kansas, an amendment to the 1987 smoking ban was signed into law in 2010, which included exemptions for limousines for hire, taxicabs, theatrical productions, licensed establishments serving liquor, and private residences, among others. In West Plains, smoking is banned in all restaurants, with specific exemptions for limousines, taxicabs, theatrical productions, and licensed establishments serving liquor, where all passengers consent to smoking.
While smoking on airplanes and in airports has been progressively banned worldwide, it is important to note that the availability of designated smoking areas in airports varies from airport to airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of 2025, there are 3 major US airports that still allow indoor smoking: Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport. However, most US airports have smoke-free indoor air policies.
Some US airports have designated smoking areas outside of terminals, such as JFK airport in New York City. Additionally, some airports have "pay-to-play" smoker-friendly cigar shops and cocktail lounges, such as the Smokin' Bear Lounge at the Denver International Airport.
No, smoking on airplanes flying to, from, or within the United States has been banned since 2000.
