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Smoking in airports has become increasingly restricted in recent years, with many airports closing their airside smoking lounges. Key West International Airport, however, stands out for its outdoor smoking patio, which has been praised for its pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. While smoking regulations vary across Key West, with some bars and restaurants allowing smoking in outdoor areas or spaces with three open walls, it is unclear whether smoking is permitted inside the Key West airport terminal. The airport has undergone significant improvements, including a new concourse opening in 2025, but there is no specific mention of designated smoking areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking allowed | Yes |
| Entrance fee | No |
| Indoor smoking | No |
| Outdoor smoking | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Key West International Airport has an outdoor smoking patio
If you are a smoker or vaper, you will know that finding a place to smoke in airports is not always easy. However, if you are travelling through Key West International Airport, you are in luck. The airport has an outdoor smoking patio, which has been described as one of the best airport smoking lounges in the United States.
Unlike some other airport smoking areas, which can feel like an afterthought, the smoking patio at Key West International Airport seems to have been provided out of a genuine desire to ensure that smokers have a pleasant and comfortable experience. It is also free to use, which is not always the case.
The smoking patio at Key West International Airport is a great option for travellers who need to get their nicotine fix between flights. It is also a good choice for those who prefer to smoke outdoors, rather than in an enclosed space. The patio offers a convenient space to smoke without having to venture too far from the airport terminals.
While smoking rates have declined in recent years, and airport smoking lounges are becoming less common, it is great that Key West International Airport still caters to the needs of smokers. This outdoor smoking patio is a welcome amenity for smokers, who may otherwise struggle to find a suitable place to smoke while travelling.
It is worth noting that smoking regulations can vary depending on the location and specific rules within the airport. While Key West International Airport does provide this outdoor smoking option, it is always a good idea to check the latest information and regulations before assuming that smoking is permitted in a particular area.
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Smoking inside the airport is not allowed
Key West International Airport is no exception to this rule. While the airport does have a smoking area, it is located outside. The outdoor patio at Key West International Airport has been praised as one of the best airport smoking lounges in the United States. It stands out for being one of the only airport smoking areas that seem to have been provided not just out of obligation but also out of a desire to ensure that smokers find their time at the airport pleasant and comfortable.
Smokers travelling through airports may want to prioritize those that still have smoking lounges. In addition to Key West International Airport, Miami International Airport has an outdoor smoking patio at the TGI Friday's restaurant. While you are expected to make a purchase to use this smoking area, the full menu of food, beer, and cocktails is available. Dulles also stands out as one of the friendliest airports for smokers, with four smoking lounges within walking distance of the airport's four concourses.
For those who vape, it is important to note that vaping is typically not allowed in places where smoking is prohibited.
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Smoking is allowed on the beaches in Key West
Although smoking is generally discouraged in Key West, it is technically legal to smoke on the beaches. Smoking is also allowed in county parks, and on boats, although smokers are asked to go to the stern of the boat, downwind, to minimise the effects of smoke on other passengers.
In bars and restaurants, the rules are a little more complicated. Smoking is not allowed inside any enclosed restaurant, anywhere. If a restaurant serves food, there can be no smoking inside. However, restaurants with outside open-air patios may allow smoking if they choose, and bars and restaurants with a liquor license that they own (rather than rent from the state) can allow smoking anywhere on their property, as long as they do not derive more than 10% of their income from food. If the license is rented, smoking is only allowed if there are three open walls.
Key West International Airport has an outdoor smoking patio, which has been praised as one of the best airport smoking lounges in the United States. It has no entrance fee and is reportedly provided out of a desire to ensure smokers find their time at the airport pleasant and comfortable.
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Bars and restaurants with three open walls can allow smoking
While smoking in airports is becoming increasingly difficult, with many airports closing their airside smoking lounges, Key West International Airport offers one of the best airport smoking lounges in the United States. The outdoor patio at this airport stands out because it has no entrance fee and was seemingly provided out of a desire to ensure smokers find their time at the airport pleasant and comfortable.
In terms of bars and restaurants with three open walls allowing smoking, this appears to be specific to North Carolina. According to North Carolina's Smoke-free Restaurant, Bars, and Lodging Law, nearly all restaurants and bars and most lodging establishments became smoke-free from 2 January 2010. However, the law does not require unenclosed areas of restaurants, bars, and lodging establishments to be smoke-free. These establishments may voluntarily implement a policy prohibiting smoking in unenclosed areas. An area in a restaurant or bar is considered enclosed if it has a roof and permanent or temporary walls or side coverings on three or more sides that make up 55% or more of the total combined perimeter surface area. Therefore, for an area with a roof to be considered unenclosed, two or more of the four walls or side coverings must be open to the outdoors, and the walls must make up less than 55% of the total combined perimeter surface area.
Additionally, in Florida, bars can allow smoking as long as they derive less than 10% of their income from food. However, smoking is not permitted in the inside areas of restaurants in Florida.
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Smoking lounges are a dying breed in US airports
In the United States, smoking lounges in airports are becoming increasingly scarce. While smoking was once permitted almost anywhere, including airports and even on aeroplanes, this began to change in the 1980s. By the early 2000s, smoking was confined to designated areas and lounges in airports. However, in recent years, even these designated lounges have been closing, with airports looking for excuses to shut them down.
Key West and all of Monroe County, Florida, for example, generally frown upon smoking on beaches and in county parks. Smoking is prohibited indoors in bars and restaurants unless they own their liquor license, which is rare, and only if they have three open walls.
For travellers who vape or smoke, finding an airport with a smoking lounge can be challenging. Some airports, such as Dulles International Airport, offer multiple smoking lounges within walking distance of the concourses. Miami International Airport also provides an outdoor smoking patio at a TGI Friday's restaurant, although a purchase is typically expected to utilise this area. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport is also known for its smoking lounges, with Nashville International Airport offering similar amenities.
Despite these options, airport smoking lounges are indeed a dying breed in the United States. Most airports now only offer basic outdoor smoking areas with ashtrays and benches. Even renowned smoking lounges, like the Smokin' Bear Lodge at Denver International Airport, have closed unexpectedly. Thus, for smokers and vapers, navigating air travel and finding a place to indulge their habit has become increasingly difficult.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can't smoke inside Key West Airport. However, there is an outdoor patio where smoking is allowed.
Yes, the outdoor smoking patio at Key West Airport is free to use and is one of the only airport smoking areas that seem to be provided out of a desire to make smokers' time pleasant and comfortable.
Yes, Dulles Airport has four smoking lounges within walking distance of the airport's four concourses. Miami International Airport also has an outdoor smoking patio at the TGI Friday's restaurant, but you are expected to make a purchase to use this area.
Smoking is not permitted in any enclosed restaurants or indoor areas in Key West. However, bars and restaurants with three open walls can allow smoking if they own their liquor license.
