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Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a smoke-free facility, with no smoking allowed inside the terminal building, including all restaurants, bars, lounges, and airline clubs. However, designated smoking areas are located outside the terminal, at least 100 feet away from the entrance. This means that passengers wishing to smoke will have to go through TSA security screening again before re-entering the gate area. The airport has implemented this policy to maintain a clean, healthy, and smoke-free environment for all passengers and staff.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking ban effective date | September 1, 2021 |
| Smoking ban location | All enclosed public spaces, outside the terminal, shuttles, sidewalks, rest areas, public and employee parking lots |
| Items prohibited | Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, puff bars, and any device that emits smoke or vapour |
| Authority enforcing the ban | Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department |
| Penalty for non-compliance | Fine |
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What You'll Learn
Smoking ban at CHS airport
Smoking has been banned at Charleston International Airport (CHS) since September 1, 2021. The ban includes all enclosed public spaces, outside the terminal, the shuttles, sidewalks, rest areas, and public and employee parking lots. This means that smoking and vaping of any kind are not allowed inside or outside the terminal. Anyone who does not comply with the ban is subject to a fine.
The ban was implemented by the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department, who enforce it. The ban covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, puff bars, and any device that emits smoke or vapour that may be harmful to travellers. This is in line with a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which found that second-hand smoke travels from designated smoking areas into non-smoking areas in airports, exposing non-smoking travellers and employees.
CHS joins a growing number of airports that are going smoke-free. As of 2024, nearly all US hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, including Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Salt Lake City, JFK, and Newark. Many airports, both large and small, have repurposed old smoking areas into seating areas, retail outlets, and charging stations. Internationally, major hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok are also 100% smoke-free.
Despite this trend, some airports in the US and internationally continue to allow indoor smoking. As of July 1, 2021, four of the top 35 US airports had smoking spaces: McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Nashville International Airport (BNA). Other US airports that still allow indoor smoking include Memphis, Cincinnati-Northern KY, and Biloxi. Internationally, Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Dubai International Airport also have designated smoking areas or lounges.
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Smoking devices prohibited at CHS
As of September 1, 2021, Charleston International Airport (CHS) has implemented a smoke-free policy across its entire campus, including all enclosed public spaces outside of the terminals, the airport shuttles, sidewalks, rest areas, public and employee parking lots, and other buildings and facilities owned by the airport and the airport authority. This means that smoking and vaping of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, puff bars, and any device that emits smoke or vapour, are prohibited both inside and outside the terminal.
The decision to prohibit smoking at CHS was informed by a Centers for Disease Control study, which found that secondhand smoke travels from designated smoking areas into non-smoking areas in airports, exposing non-smoking travellers and employees. The health risks associated with secondhand smoke are well-established, including an increased risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. By enforcing this ban, the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department aims to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of travellers, guests, and workers at the airport.
The adoption of smoke-free policies in airports is becoming increasingly common. As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, including major hubs such as Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Salt Lake City, JFK, and Newark. Internationally, many airports have also gone smoke-free, including major Asian hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok.
While some airports still accommodate smoking inside terminals, the trend is moving towards creating healthier, smoke-free environments for all. As a result, travellers at CHS and other airports are no longer exposed to the health risks associated with secondhand smoke and can enjoy a safer and more pleasant experience.
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Smoke-free US airports
As of September 1, 2021, smoking has been banned at Charleston International Airport (CHS), including all enclosed public spaces, outside the terminal, the shuttles, sidewalks, rest areas, and public and employee parking lots. This ban includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, and any other device that emits smoke or vapour. The Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department enforces the ban, and non-compliance is subject to a fine.
While smoking has been progressively banned in public areas of airports worldwide, some US airports still permit smoking in designated areas. As of April 1, 2025, 32 of the top 35 US 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. Las Vegas International Airport has the most areas where smoking is permitted, including designated outdoor areas near ticketing and baggage claim areas. At Miami International Airport, smoking is permitted in the 'open-air' atrium, which has four walls and a roof with a gap.
Smoking was once considered normal in airports, but today, only a few airports accommodate smoking inside terminals. As of July 1, 2021, four of the top 35 US airports had smoking spaces: McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), TGIF at Miami International Airport (MIA), and Nashville International Airport (BNA). Some smaller airports also have smoking spaces. However, with the growing trend towards smoke-free airports, these numbers are decreasing.
The presence of designated smoking areas does not eliminate the health risks of secondhand smoke exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, secondhand smoke can still travel from these areas into non-smoking areas, exposing travellers and employees. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Therefore, broader implementation of smoke-free policies at airports is essential to protect public health and ensure a safe environment for employees and travellers.
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Airports with smoking areas
As of September 1, 2021, smoking and vaping of any kind are prohibited inside and outside the terminal at Charleston International Airport (CHS). This means that smoking is not allowed in any enclosed public spaces, outside the terminal, the shuttles, sidewalks, rest areas, and public and employee parking lots. The ban is enforced by the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department, and non-compliance may result in a fine.
While CHS has implemented a smoke-free policy, several airports worldwide continue to accommodate smoking inside their terminals. As of July 1, 2021, four of the top 35 US airports have smoking spaces: McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), TGI Fridays at Miami International Airport (MIA), and Nashville International Airport (BNA). Additionally, some smaller airports across the country may also have designated smoking areas.
Internationally, many airports have adopted 100% smoke-free policies, particularly in Asia, including major hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok. However, as of 2017, more than half of the world's 50 busiest airports still allowed smoking in certain areas. Among the top 10 busiest airports, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International, Dubai International, Hong Kong International, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Tokyo International permitted smoking in specific indoor locations.
Some airports with designated smoking areas include Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India. Ataturk Airport features smoking lounges throughout the airport, fitted with smoke extractors and located in both the departure and arrival terminals. Similarly, Mumbai's airport has multiple smoking lounges in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, situated near the arrival and departure gates, retail areas, and the baggage belts. These lounges provide smokers with a comfortable and well-designed space to relax and smoke before or after their flights.
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Health risks of second-hand smoke
As of September 1, 2021, smoking inside or outside the terminal at Charleston International Airport (CHS) is prohibited. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, and any other device that emits smoke or vapour that may be harmful to travellers.
Second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoke, poses serious health risks to non-smokers. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are more than 7000 compounds in tobacco smoke, at least 69 of which can cause cancer, and many are toxic. People who breathe second-hand smoke face a 25-30% higher risk of heart disease and up to a 16% increased risk of cancer. The annual global death toll attributed to second-hand smoke is over 1.2 million people. Even brief exposure to low levels of second-hand smoke can trigger heart attacks, strokes, or asthma attacks in at-risk individuals.
Thirdhand smoke, or the leftover pollution after a cigarette is extinguished, reacts with other compounds to form new toxins that are re-emitted into the air. Some of these newly formed pollutants can cause cancer. Tobacco smoke residue on walls, ceilings, or furniture also poses health risks to adults, infants, and children who come into contact with them. Research also suggests that second-hand aerosols emitted by heated tobacco products may be harmful, particularly to heart and lung health.
Smoke-free policies have effectively reduced the number of people exposed to second-hand smoke in workplaces and public spaces. As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, and many countries have implemented smoke-free policies in airports and other public spaces to protect citizens, especially children and young people, from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a smoke-free facility. This includes all restaurants, bars, lounges, and airline clubs within the airport premises.
Smoking is allowed outside, 100 feet away from the terminal's doorway.
Yes, because the smoking areas are outside the terminal, passengers will have to go through TSA security screening before returning to the gate area.
