Denver Airport: Indoor Smoking Allowed Or Not?

Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving thousands of travellers every day. In the past, smoking lounges were available in the airport, but policies have since changed. As of 2018, DEN is a non-smoking facility, with no smoking permitted inside the airport. However, designated smoking areas are available outside the Jeppesen Terminal on the west and east sides. This change aligns with the efforts of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock to create a healthier city and protect the health of both travellers and airport workers.

Denver Airport smoking lounges closed in 2018

Denver International Airport (DIA) was once home to four smoking lounges. However, by 2013, three of these lounges had already closed their doors, leaving only one—the Timberline, operated by Smokin' Bear, LLC, on Concourse C. In March 2018, DIA finally became 100% smoke-free indoors when the Timberline's lease ended and the remaining smoking lounge was closed.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving thousands of travellers every day. In the years leading up to the closure of the final smoking lounge, airport officials had been working towards creating a smoke-free facility, supported by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock's plans for a healthier Denver.

The closure of the smoking lounges was met with approval from travellers and airport workers, who now enjoy improved air quality and a healthier environment. The former smoking lounge on Concourse C was remodelled and reopened as a sports bar and barbecue restaurant, proving to be a popular new addition to the airport.

The move towards a smoke-free Denver International Airport was not without opposition, as Big Tobacco had lobbied for decades to keep smoking inside the airport. However, with the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke in mind, airport officials made the decision to prioritise the health and well-being of travellers and employees, joining the over 600 U.S. airports that were already smokefree indoors as of January 2, 2018.

No smoking inside the airport

Denver International Airport is a non-smoking facility. This means that smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere inside the airport. However, there are designated smoking areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal on the west and east sides.

If you are dropping off or picking up passengers and wish to smoke, you can do so in the designated areas outside the terminal. These are located on the north and south ends of the terminal and are clearly signposted. Receptacles for cigarette disposal can be found in these areas.

It is important to note that there are no smoking areas once you have cleared security and are at your gate. If you wish to smoke after passing through security, you will need to return to the terminal and pass through security checks again. This may take some time, so please plan accordingly.

Denver International Airport's decision to go smoke-free is in line with the city's efforts to create a healthier environment for its residents and visitors. It also reflects the trend towards smoke-free airports across the nation, with over 600 US airports being smoke-free indoors as of 2018. This change is a welcome one for the majority of travellers, as 87% of US adults identify as non-smokers.

Designated smoking areas outside Jeppesen Terminal

Denver International Airport (DEN) is a non-smoking facility. However, there are designated smoking areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal. These areas are located on both the east and west sides of the terminal.

On the west side of the Jeppesen Terminal, smokers can exit through the following doors:

• Level 4 – Doors 400 and 416
• Level 5 – Doors 500 and 516
• Level 6 – Door 616

On the east side of the Jeppesen Terminal, smokers can exit through the following doors:

• Level 4 – Doors 401 and 417
• Level 5 – Doors 501 and 517
• Level 6 – Doors 601 and 617

It's important to note that smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere inside the airport. The designated smoking areas are all pre-security, and there are no smoking areas once you have cleared security and gone to your gate. If you leave the gate area to smoke, you will need to allow time to return to the terminal and pass through security again.

Denver's city council passed a smoke-free ordinance in 2006 that applies to most public places, including restaurants, bars, and airport terminals. As a result, Denver Airport has implemented rules to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all travellers. Penalties are imposed if someone is caught smoking outside the designated areas.

No smoking areas once through security

As of 2018, Denver International Airport (DEN) is a non-smoking facility. There are no indoor smoking areas anywhere inside the airport. This means that once you have passed through security, there are no designated smoking areas.

Prior to 2018, there were four smoking lounges at the airport, three of which closed in 2012. The remaining lounge, Timberline, operated by Smokin' Bear, LLC, on Concourse C, shut down in 2018. This lounge became a sports bar and barbecue restaurant.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with thousands of people travelling through each day. The decision to close the indoor smoking lounges was made in an effort to improve the health of travellers and workers, as well as to repurpose the smoking areas into more useful passenger amenities.

If you are a smoker travelling through Denver International Airport, you will need to plan ahead. There are designated smoking areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal, which can be accessed by exiting the following doors on the north and south ends of the terminal:

• West Side of Jeppesen Terminal: Level 4 – Doors 400 and 416; Level 5 – Doors 500 and 516; Level 6 – Door 616
• East Side of Jeppesen Terminal: Level 4 – Doors 401 and 417; Level 5 – Doors 501 and 517; Level 6 – Doors 601 and 617

Please note that smoking is not permitted anywhere else on the DEN Plaza. If you choose to leave the gate area to smoke, you will need to allow time to return to the terminal and pass through security again.

Smokefree is Good for Health and Business

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with thousands of people travelling through it every day. As of 2024, it is a non-smoking facility. This is a positive step for the health of both travellers and workers, who have been exposed to the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke for decades.

Before the indoor smoking ban, there were four smoking lounges at the airport. Three of these closed in 2012, leaving one large indoor smoking lounge located in Concourse C. This final lounge closed on March 1, 2018, when the airport became 100% smokefree indoors. This was in line with Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock's plans for creating a better, healthier Denver.

While smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere inside the airport, there are designated smoking areas outside the Jeppesen Terminal. These areas are located on the west and east sides of the terminal, with clear signage indicating their location.

The move towards a smoke-free airport is not only good for health but also for business. The former smoking lounge in Concourse C, for example, was replaced with a sports bar and barbecue restaurant, which has been very popular. Repurposing smoking areas into more useful passenger amenities creates a much healthier environment while also improving the customer experience and increasing revenue.

As of January 2, 2018, more than 600 U.S. airports were smokefree indoors, and this number continues to grow. This trend is a positive one, as it protects the health of travellers and workers and creates a more pleasant and profitable environment for airports.

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