Lax Smoking Zones: Where To Light Up?

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has designated smoking areas for passengers, which is uncommon among airports in the US. The Tom Bradley International Terminal has a smoking patio, which is located near Gates 131 and 151. There are also designated smoking areas available at Terminals 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and B. However, vaping is strictly prohibited inside all parts of LAX Airport and its premises.

Smoking areas in LAX terminals

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has designated smoking areas in some of its terminals. While vaping is strictly prohibited across the entire airport, smokers can enjoy a cigarette without leaving the security checkpoint. However, as of 2023, there are no designated smoking areas in terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 as per the official airport website.

The Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) has a discreet airside smoking patio, which is located near Gates 131 and 151 and on the mezzanine level. This terminal underwent a $1.9 billion modernisation in 2013, creating a world-class experience for travellers. It features a central "Great Hall" with premier dining, retail shopping, luxurious airline lounges, and other amenities such as pet relief areas, nursing rooms, and children's play areas.

Terminal 6 also has a designated smoking area below Gate 64B/66 (Moat). In the past, Terminal 2 and Terminal 6 had outdoor patios, but these have now been converted into pet relief areas where smoking is prohibited.

According to some sources, Terminal 7 has a designated smoking area on its southern side, close to the exit leading to the parking garage. However, other sources suggest that there is no designated smoking area in this terminal.

Vaping prohibited at LAX

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is a smoke-free facility, which includes a ban on the use of e-cigarettes indoors. While smoking is permitted in certain designated areas of the airport, vaping is strictly prohibited across all parts of the airport and its premises. This includes the airport bathrooms, where vaping is prohibited and can lead to criminal charges, fines, or other penalties.

If you plan to bring a vape device to LAX, it's important to follow the correct procedure at security. Remove your vape device from your carry-on bag and place it in a separate bin, similar to how you would with a laptop. If possible, remove the batteries and carry them in a battery case to prevent short circuits. You can pack e-liquids in your carry-on bag, but they must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less and placed in a clear, quart-sized bag, adhering to standard TSA liquid rules.

LAX has designated smoking areas for passengers who smoke. These include a smoking patio in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, as well as designated areas below Gate 64B/66 (Moat) in Terminal 6, and near Gates 131 and 151 and on the mezzanine level in the same terminal. There is also a designated smoking area in Terminal 7, located on the southern side near the exit to the parking garage.

While some may argue for more designated smoking areas at LAX, the airport's current regulations aim to balance the needs of smokers and non-smokers. It's important to respect the no-vaping rules at LAX, as non-compliance can impact the well-being of other passengers and staff and result in significant repercussions.

Finding smoking zones at LAX

If you're looking for a smoking zone at LAX, there are a few options to consider. It's important to note that vaping is strictly prohibited inside all parts of the airport and its premises. So, if you're looking to vape, you'll need to find an alternative location outside the airport grounds.

For those who smoke, there is a designated smoking area in Terminal 6, located below Gate 64B/66 (Moat). You can also find smoking areas at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), including a large smoking patio near Gate 131 and Gate 151, as well as on the mezzanine level. This patio is located at the rear of the central food court, and you can follow the overhead blue signs to guide you there.

As of 2023, there were no designated smoking areas in Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, according to the official airport website. However, some sources suggest that there may be designated smoking areas available curbside at Terminals 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and B. Additionally, if you have a long layover and need assistance, you can ask for help finding the smoking zones, as they can be hard to find and are few and far between.

Smoking inside vs outside terminals

Smoking inside airport terminals has become an increasingly regulated activity, with many airports removing indoor smoking rooms. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one such airport that has designated smoking areas outside of its terminals. These areas are located on the southern side of Terminal 7, near the exit leading to the parking garage, and curbside at Terminals 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and B. The Tom Bradley International Terminal also has a smoking patio, and smoking is permitted below Gate 64B/66 (Moat) and near Gates 131 and 151. However, there are no designated smoking areas in Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, as per the official airport website.

While smoking inside airport terminals is now less common, it does still occur at some airports. The presence of indoor smoking rooms can be convenient for travellers who wish to smoke without having to leave the secure area of the airport. However, indoor smoking poses significant health risks to both travellers and airport employees due to secondhand smoke exposure. The architectural design of many terminals, with arrival areas located directly underneath departures, can create partially enclosed spaces where particulate matter can stagnate and affect air quality.

One study found that levels of particulate matter just within the entrances of several large hub airport terminals did not significantly differ from areas further inside the terminals. However, outdoor particulate matter levels at arrival areas were significantly higher when designated smoking venues were located closer. This suggests that while indoor drift from outside smoking may be negligible, the location of outdoor smoking areas can impact exposure to secondhand smoke.

To mitigate exposure, moving designated smoking areas further away from entry and exit points may be effective. However, comprehensive prohibition through legislative initiatives may be necessary to fully protect individuals from the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure in airport settings.

LAX smoking zones compared to other airports

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the few airports in the US that has designated smoking areas for passengers. As of 2023, there are no designated smoking areas in terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 as per the official airport website. However, there are smoking areas in Terminal 6 and 7. The designated smoking area in Terminal 6 is located below Gate 64B/66 (Moat), and in Terminal 7, it is situated on the southern side, close to the exit leading to the parking garage. There is also a large smoking patio available in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, located near Gate 131 and Gate 151 and on the mezzanine level.

While LAX provides designated smoking areas for its passengers, some people have expressed concerns about the impact of second-hand smoke on non-smokers. Doctors have warned that small, poorly ventilated smoking areas can increase the risk of spreading respiratory infections. This is a concern shared by other countries, and some, like Australia and New Zealand, have implemented absolute smoke-free airport regulations.

Despite the health hazards associated with smoking, many airports worldwide continue to provide smoking lounges or designated smoking areas. For example, Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, offer smoking lounges in both the departure and arrival terminals. Similarly, Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands has smoking lounges in the transit areas of its terminals, although smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces in the country.

Some airports provide unique smoking experiences, such as the Graycliff Cigar Company's in-house smoking lounges at Concourse B and Concourse C, which offer handcrafted cigars and tobacco products for a small fee. Other airports, like Miami International Airport (MIA), allow smoking outdoors near the arrivals and departures levels and in an open-air atrium attached to a restaurant.

While LAX provides designated smoking areas, the availability and accessibility of these areas vary across different airports. Some airports may have more comprehensive smoking lounges, while others may offer only basic outdoor smoking areas. It is always advisable to check the official websites of the respective airports for the most up-to-date information on their smoking policies and designated areas.

Frequently asked questions