O'hare Airport Smoking Policy: Is It Allowed?

Chicago O'Hare Airport, also known as ORD, is one of the largest airports in the United States, serving as a hub for both domestic and international travel. While it may be a convenient stop for travellers, one question that often arises is whether smoking is permitted within the airport premises. As of 2024, Chicago O'Hare Airport maintains a strict no-smoking policy, adhering to Illinois state laws and prioritizing the health and comfort of travellers and employees.

No designated smoking areas inside O'Hare Airport

Chicago O'Hare Airport does not have any designated smoking areas inside the airport. In fact, as per Illinois' Indoor Clean Air Act, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public spaces, including lounges, restrooms, restaurants, and clubs. This legislation also prohibits smoking within 15 feet of the entrance of a public building, which means that smoking is not allowed at the entrances of the airport terminals.

O'Hare Airport occasionally receives requests from passengers to provide a dedicated smoking room. However, due to the clean indoor air ordinance of Chicago policy, it is impossible to fulfil these demands. The airport prioritises the health of its employees and travellers, and providing a smoking room would expose people to the health hazards of secondhand smoke.

As a result, smokers at O'Hare Airport must step outside to smoke. They must move at least 15 feet away from any terminal entrance or ventilation shaft before lighting up. There are no signs in the airport that will direct travellers to these outdoor smoking areas, and smokers should not expect any amenities like chairs, tables, or ashtrays. After smoking, individuals must rejoin the Transportation Security Administration line to re-enter the airport.

The absence of designated smoking areas inside O'Hare Airport is part of a broader trend. As of 2024, nearly all U.S. hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, and many international airports have also adopted smoke-free policies.

Smoking is allowed outside the terminal

Chicago O'Hare Airport does not have a designated indoor smoking area. Smoking is prohibited inside the airport due to the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance of Chicago policy, which prohibits smoking and vaping within airport premises. As a result, smoking rooms and lounges were closed at O'Hare Airport several years ago.

However, if you are looking for a place to smoke, you can do so outside the terminal. To find the smoking area, follow the signs to any of the exit doors from Terminals 1, 2, 3, or 5. Once you exit, step away from the entrance, staying at least 15-20 feet away from the door or ventilation shaft. You may smoke on either the upper or lower level, but keep in mind that there will not be any amenities, and ashtrays may not always be available. After smoking, you will need to rejoin the Transportation Security Administration line to re-enter the terminal.

It is important to note that smoking is not allowed within 15 feet of the door of a public building in Illinois, and this includes O'Hare Airport. While the airport may not have specific signs leading to the outside smoking area, you will likely see signs indicating the "No Smoking" zone within 15-20 feet of the doors.

The absence of designated smoking areas at O'Hare Airport is part of a broader trend in US airports, with nearly all major US hub airports now being 100% smoke-free indoors. This change has been driven by the prioritization of public health, with airport smoking rooms failing to prevent secondhand smoke from affecting other areas of the building. As a result, airports have been repurposing former smoking areas into more useful spaces, such as seating areas, retail shops, and charging stations.

No smoking within 15-20 feet of the terminal entrance

Chicago O'Hare Airport does not have a dedicated smoking area inside the airport. This is due to the legislation provided by the US government and the clean indoor air ordinance of Chicago policy. As a result, smoking is prohibited within the airport premises, and smokers must go outside to smoke.

If you wish to smoke at O'Hare Airport, you must exit the terminal building and move at least 15-20 feet away from its entrance. There will likely be a sign that says "No Smoking within 15-20 ft of doors." It is important to note that there are no designated amenities for smokers, such as chairs or ashtrays. After smoking, individuals must re-enter the terminal and pass through the Transportation Security Administration line again.

In Illinois, smoking is prohibited in various public places, including streets, parks, beaches, and embankments. This also applies to indoor areas such as lounges, restrooms, restaurants, and clubs, as outlined in the Illinois Indoor Clean Air Act. Therefore, the absence of designated smoking areas within O'Hare Airport aligns with the broader legislative context of Illinois.

It is worth noting that the rules regarding smoking at O'Hare Airport may change over time. It is always a good idea to check for the latest updates and follow the instructions provided by the airport authorities.

No smoking facilities inside the terminal for connecting flights

Chicago O'Hare Airport does not have any designated smoking areas inside the terminal for connecting flights. In fact, there are no smoking facilities anywhere inside the airport. This is due to legislation provided by the US government and the clean indoor air ordinance of Chicago policy. As a result, smoking rooms and lounges at the airport were closed many years ago.

If you are a smoker and need to smoke while at O'Hare Airport, you will need to go outside. There are no signs in the airport that will direct you to the outside smoking area, so you will need to follow the instructions below:

• Exit the terminal through any door.
• Step away from the terminal entrance by at least 15-20 feet.
• You will then be in an area where smoking is permitted.

Please note that there are no amenities in the outside smoking area, such as chairs or tables, and ashtrays may not be available. After smoking, you will need to re-enter the terminal and pass through security again. This process can take between 5-20 minutes, so be sure to give yourself enough time before your flight.

The lack of designated smoking areas at O'Hare Airport is part of a broader trend in US airports. As of 2024, nearly all US hub airports are 100% smoke-free indoors, and airports have been repurposing former smoking areas into spaces such as seating areas, retail shops, and charging stations.

Chicago's clean indoor air ordinance prohibits smoking and vaping within airport premises

Chicago's O'Hare Airport does not permit smoking anywhere within the airport premises. This includes both domestic terminals (1, 2, and 3) and international terminal 5. While there may be covered areas near exterior doors, smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of the entrance to any public building in Illinois, and O'Hare is no exception.

Chicago's Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, which came into effect in 2008, prohibits smoking in virtually all enclosed public places and enclosed places of employment. This includes, but is not limited to, bars, restaurants, shopping malls, recreational facilities, concert halls, and government buildings. The ordinance also prohibits smoking within 15 feet of the entrances to these establishments. The only exemptions to this ordinance are private residences, some hotel and motel sleeping rooms, and retail tobacco stores.

As a result of this ordinance, smoking rooms and lounges at O'Hare Airport were closed down many years ago. Passengers wishing to smoke must go outside and maintain a distance of at least 15 to 20 feet from the terminal entrance. There are no signs within the airport that will direct passengers to these outdoor smoking areas, and there are no dedicated amenities for smokers, such as chairs or ashtrays.

The absence of designated smoking areas within O'Hare Airport is also due to federal legislation. In Illinois, smoking is prohibited in many public spaces, including streets, parks, beaches, and embankments. This legislation, combined with Chicago's Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, ensures that there are no indoor smoking areas within O'Hare Airport.

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