Roberta Aguirre
Formerly known as McCarran Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas has designated smoking areas. While smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas, including restaurants, bars, and lounges, passengers may smoke in two indoor spots: the pre-security Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge at the D Concourse, near Gate D-46. In addition, smoking is permitted outdoors near ticketing and baggage claim. Some passengers have described the indoor smoking areas as 'grim,' with thick, lingering smoke and a strong odour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking allowed | Yes, in designated outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim |
| Indoor smoking spots | The pre-security Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge at the D Concourse, near Gate D-46 |
| Outdoor smoking spots | Near ticketing and baggage claim |
| Former indoor smoking spots | Barney's Lounge (C Gates), Bud Track Lounge (T1 Esplanade), Enclosed Gaming Lounges (B Gates, C Gates, & D Gates) |
| Former indoor smoking spots (cont.) | Enclosed Gaming Lounges (D Gates & E Gates) |
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What You'll Learn
- Smoking indoors at McCarran International Airport is prohibited by Nevada state law
- There are designated outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim
- Previously, there were indoor smoking rooms, but these have since closed
- There are plans to open additional indoor smoking lounges in the future
- Some passengers dislike the indoor smoking rooms, finding them unpleasant
Smoking indoors at McCarran International Airport is prohibited by Nevada state law
In the past, the airport had a small smoking room in the C concourse, which was closed down a few years ago. Currently, passengers may smoke in two indoor spots: the pre-security Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge at the D Concourse, near Gate D-46. These lounges are glass-enclosed areas, some with slots and bars, and are often criticised for being poorly ventilated and unpleasant.
When the new Terminal 3 opened on June 27, two more enclosed gaming lounges were added near gates E-1 and E-15, with another planned for the C Concourse. These lounges cater to a significant segment of customers who wish to smoke and have proven useful in preventing smoking in unauthorised areas.
McCarran International Airport is one of the few airports in the U.S. that still allows indoor smoking. As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, with many repurposing former smoking areas into seating, retail, and charging stations.
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There are designated outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim
If you are a smoker travelling through McCarran International Airport, you will be pleased to know that there are designated outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim.
In compliance with Nevada state law, smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of the airport, including restaurants, bars, and lounges. However, the airport recognizes that some passengers may wish to smoke, and so has provided designated outdoor smoking areas to accommodate this. These areas are likely clearly marked and can be easily located near the ticketing and baggage claim areas. This allows smokers to indulge without having to venture too far from the main airport building.
Previously, the airport did have indoor smoking rooms, including one in the C concourse, but these have since been closed down. In recent years, there have been plans to open additional smoking lounges within the airport, including enclosed gaming lounges near gates E-1 and E-15, as well as another near the C Concourse. These lounges were intended to cater to smokers who might otherwise light up in unauthorized areas. However, it is unclear if these lounges were ever opened, as some sources indicate they were only planned with no set opening date.
Currently, the airport has two indoor spots where smoking is permitted: the pre-security Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge at the D Concourse, near Gate D-46. These areas provide a compromise between accommodating smokers and minimizing the impact on non-smokers, as they are enclosed and located in specific areas of the airport.
So, if you are travelling through McCarran International Airport and wish to smoke, you can do so in the designated outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim or the select indoor smoking lounges. Remember to respect the rules and only smoke in the designated areas to ensure a pleasant experience for all passengers and airport staff.
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Previously, there were indoor smoking rooms, but these have since closed
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, including restaurants, bars, and lounges. The airport previously had indoor smoking rooms, but these have since closed. In the past, passengers could smoke in designated indoor spots, such as the pre-security Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge at the D Concourse near Gate D-46. There were also plans to open additional enclosed gaming lounges near gates E-1 and E-15, as well as another lounge past the C Annex Security Checkpoint. However, these plans may have changed, and it is unclear if these lounges were ever opened or if they have also been closed.
The closure of indoor smoking rooms at McCarran Airport is in line with the trend towards smoke-free policies in airports worldwide. As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, and many international airports, including major hubs in Asia, have also implemented smoke-free policies.
At McCarran Airport, smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim. These outdoor smoking areas are the only option for passengers who wish to smoke before departing or after arriving at the airport. The closure of indoor smoking rooms may have been influenced by the negative experiences of passengers who found the indoor smoking areas to be unpleasant and poorly ventilated.
While the closure of indoor smoking rooms may be inconvenient for smokers, it is important to prioritize the health and comfort of all passengers and airport employees. The elimination of indoor smoking areas helps reduce the exposure to secondhand smoke for both travellers and airport staff, contributing to a healthier environment for all.
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There are plans to open additional indoor smoking lounges in the future
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, in compliance with Nevada state law. However, designated outdoor smoking areas are available near ticketing and baggage claim.
While the airport currently has two indoor smoking spots, the Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge near Gate D-46, there are plans to open additional indoor smoking lounges in the future. With the opening of the new Terminal 3 on June 27, two more enclosed gaming lounges will be available near gates E-1 and E-15. Furthermore, another gaming lounge that will accommodate smokers is planned for the C Concourse past the C Annex Security Checkpoint. This lounge will be accessible to passengers from the A and B concourses as well.
The decision to add more airport smoking lounges is driven by the significant number of customers who wish to smoke. McCarran spokesperson Chris Jones stated that "past experience has demonstrated that these customers will often light up, even in areas where smoking is not authorized."
While some people may question the need for additional smoking lounges, particularly as many airports worldwide are transitioning to 100% smokefree, the designated smoking areas at McCarran International Airport aim to balance the needs of smokers and non-smokers alike. These enclosed areas provide a dedicated space for smokers while containing secondhand smoke and reducing passive smoking risks for non-smokers.
The inclusion of gaming lounges as smoking areas also aligns with the unique character of Las Vegas as a destination known for its casinos and gaming culture. These smoking lounges with slots or gaming options offer a distinct airport experience that caters to a specific segment of travellers who enjoy smoking while engaging in gaming activities.
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Some passengers dislike the indoor smoking rooms, finding them unpleasant
While McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas does offer designated indoor smoking areas, some passengers have expressed their dislike for these rooms, finding them unpleasant. The indoor smoking rooms, including the pre-security Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge, have been described as having poor ventilation and being too small. One passenger recalled the room being thick with lingering smoke and an extremely unpleasant smell, likening it to someone pouring water on a hundred ashtrays. Another passenger, a former smoker, described the experience of entering one of these rooms as feeling like they were in a cage and found it to be a very unpleasant experience.
The negative perception of the indoor smoking rooms at McCarran Airport is not an isolated case, as some travellers have shared similar sentiments about smoking lounges in other airports. For example, Denver International Airport had two restaurants with private smoking rooms, which have also received criticism. These enclosed smoking areas are intended to serve multiple purposes, including providing a designated space for smokers, deterring smoking by making the experience unpleasant, and allowing non-smokers to identify the negative consequences of smoking for their children.
The existence of indoor smoking rooms in airports can be attributed to the significant number of customers who wish to smoke. McCarran Airport spokesperson Chris Jones acknowledged this, stating that "there is a significant segment of our customer base that wishes to smoke". Additionally, the presence of these designated areas aims to address the issue of customers lighting up in unauthorised areas. However, the unpleasant nature of these smoking rooms, as described by passengers, highlights the challenges of accommodating smokers within an indoor airport setting.
The negative reactions to the indoor smoking rooms at McCarran Airport underscore the importance of prioritising the health and comfort of all passengers and employees. While accommodating the needs of smokers, it is essential to consider the impact of second-hand smoke and the overall airport experience for non-smokers. As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, reflecting a growing trend towards smoke-free policies in airports worldwide. This includes major airports in Asia, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok, which are now completely smoke-free indoors.
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Frequently asked questions
No, smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of McCarran Airport, including restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Yes, there are a few designated indoor smoking areas in the airport, including the Budweiser Racing Track Lounge and an enclosed casino gaming lounge near Gate D-46.
Yes, smoking is permitted outdoors near ticketing and baggage claim.
Yes, when the new Terminal 3 opens, there will be two more enclosed gaming lounges near gates E-1 and E-15. Another gaming lounge is planned for the C Concourse, but no opening date has been set.
No, some people have described the indoor smoking rooms as "'grim" and "thick with lingering smoke."
