Smoking Areas At Atl Airport: Where To Light Up?

As of January 2020, smoking and vaping are prohibited inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The City of Atlanta passed an ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside the airport, forcing the closure of all smoking rooms. However, designated smoking areas can be found outside the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances. Violators of the ordinance may be fined up to $200.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is smoke-free

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a smoke-free environment. The City of Atlanta passed an ordinance in 2019, which prohibited smoking and vaping inside the airport. This was done to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the travelling public. As a result, all smoking rooms inside the airport were closed from 2 January 2020.

The indoor smoking ban includes all tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, as well as e-cigarettes. Anyone violating the ordinance will be subject to a civil penalty of up to a $200 fine.

However, to accommodate smokers, the airport has designated smoking areas outside of the domestic and international terminals. These zones are located at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances, near the lower-level doors. Persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from smoking in these designated areas.

For those seeking alternatives to smoking, nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum, lozenges, sprays, and inhalers are available over the counter or by prescription. These products can help manage nicotine cravings and reduce intake over time.

In addition to the indoor smoking ban, the City of Atlanta's ordinance also bans smoking and vaping inside bars, restaurants, and enclosed spaces. This enhanced ordinance has led to the closure of smoking areas in other airports across the country, with a growing trend towards smoke-free airport environments.

Designated smoking areas are outside the terminals

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a smoke-free environment. In 2019, the Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking and vaping inside the airport, which led to the closure of all smoking lounges. This was done to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the travelling public.

However, the airport has designated smoking areas (smoking zones) outside of the domestic and international terminals, located at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances. These designated smoking areas can be found on the lower level near doors LN1, LN2, N3, N4, S4, S5, S6, and S7. It's important to note that if you pass through security and wish to smoke, you will need to exit the airport and go through security again upon your return.

The designated smoking areas are as follows:

Domestic Terminal North

• Main: Between Doors N3 and N4
• Lower Level

Domestic Terminal South

• Main: Between Doors S1 and S2, and between Doors S4 and S5
• Lower Level

International Terminal

• Departures (Upper Level): Doors D1 and D3
• Arrivals (Lower Level): Doors A1 and A3

Persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from smoking in these designated smoking zones. Violators of the ordinance can be fined up to $200.

A $200 fine is imposed for violating the ordinance

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is now a smoke-free environment, with the City of Atlanta passing an ordinance that prohibits smoking and vaping inside the airport. The ordinance, which came into effect on January 1, 2020, was enacted to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of travellers and airport employees. As a result, all smoking rooms inside the airport have been closed, and designated smoking zones have been established outside of the domestic and international terminals. These zones are located at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances.

The Atlanta City Council's ordinance has imposed a $200 fine for those who violate the smoking prohibition within the airport premises. This means that anyone caught smoking or vaping inside the airport, including in departure lounges, concourses, and terminals, will be subject to this civil penalty. The fine applies to all forms of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and e-cigarettes. The Atlanta Police Department is responsible for enforcing the ordinance and will issue the $200 fine to violators.

It is important to note that the designated smoking zones outside the terminals are the only areas where smoking is permitted. If travellers wish to smoke after passing through security, they must exit the airport and go through security procedures again upon their return. This process can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially for those with connecting flights or time constraints. Therefore, travellers who smoke should plan accordingly and be aware of the designated smoking zones and the associated fine for non-compliance.

While the closure of indoor smoking lounges may be an inconvenience for smokers, the ordinance was implemented with the well-being of all travellers and staff in mind. Second-hand smoke exposure has been a concern for many, and the closure of smoking lounges aligns with the efforts of other airports across the United States. Additionally, the ordinance addresses the issue of smokers resorting to inappropriate and unsafe places, such as restrooms, to smoke.

To assist travellers during the transition to the new ordinance, ATL has provided resources and alternatives. From January 2 to January 31, 2020, about two dozen concessionaires at ATL offered free FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapy lozenges to help travellers manage their nicotine cravings. Travellers can also explore other nicotine replacement products, such as patches, gum, sprays, and inhalers, which are available over the counter or by prescription. These alternatives can help smokers manage their nicotine intake while respecting the smoke-free environment within the airport.

Smoking rooms inside the airport are closed

As of January 1, 2020, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has closed all its indoor smoking areas. This decision was made to comply with an enhanced city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside bars, restaurants, and enclosed spaces. The move towards cleaner air in the world's busiest airport has been welcomed by many, but it may be frustrating for travellers who smoke.

Previously, there were about a dozen places throughout ATL's terminals where travellers could smoke, including lounges funded by the Philip Morris cigarette company. However, concerns about exposing travellers and airport employees to second-hand smoke have led to their closure. In 2015, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, even urged ATL to close its smoking lounges, stating, "Mad Men ended, and this should too. World's busiest airport can be its healthiest."

Now, travellers who wish to smoke must use the designated smoking zones outside the domestic and international terminals. These areas are located at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances and can be found on the lower level near doors LN1, LN2, N3, N4, S4, S5, S6, and S7. It is important to note that if you pass through security and then wish to smoke, you will need to exit the airport and go through security again upon your return.

Anyone who violates the new ordinance and smokes inside the airport will be subject to a civil penalty of up to a $200 fine. To help travellers adjust to the change, ATL offered a 30-day accommodation program, providing free nicotine replacement therapy lozenges to passengers with limited access to the exterior smoking zones.

Nicotine replacement therapy lozenges are available

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has recently closed all its smoking areas to comply with a city-wide ordinance banning smoking and vaping inside. As a result, travellers who wish to smoke must now go to designated smoking zones outside of the domestic and international terminals. These zones are located at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances.

To help travellers with the transition, ATL will be providing free nicotine replacement therapy lozenges from January 2nd to 31st. Nicotine lozenges are a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that comes in the form of a small, candy-like tablet in flavours like cinnamon, fruit, and mint. They are available in different brand names as well as generic products, and can be purchased over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

When a nicotine lozenge is placed in the mouth and allowed to dissolve over the course of 20 to 30 minutes, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream, relieving short-term cravings to smoke. They offer quick relief from cravings that are part of nicotine withdrawal. However, it is important to note that lozenges should be used on an as-needed basis and according to the recommended dosing schedule. Additionally, one should carefully wean themselves off of the lozenges in the amount of time suggested.

The recommended dosing for nicotine lozenges is as follows:

• Weeks 1 to 6: One lozenge every one to two hours
• Weeks 7 to 9: One lozenge every two to four hours
• Weeks 10 to 12: One lozenge every four to eight hours

It is important to not use more than five lozenges in six hours or 20 lozenges in a 24-hour period. Nicotine lozenges should be discontinued by the end of 12 weeks. If one has trouble stopping, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

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