Ruth Haines
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy, joining the ranks of over 600 smoke-free airports in the US. As a result, smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated areas in front of the terminal. Previously, the airport had five post-security smoking rooms, which were promoted as a convenience for smokers making connections. However, these smoking rooms have been phased out, with the first lounge closing in July 2016 and the last one closing in December 2016. Now, passengers who wish to smoke must use the designated smoking area outside the terminal on the west side of the building.
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What You'll Learn
- Salt Lake City International Airport has a 100% smoke-free indoor air policy
- Designated smoking areas are in front of the terminal
- Salt Lake City Airport once had five post-security smoking rooms
- Salt Lake City Airport is one of 5 large US airports to allow smoking in designated rooms
- Second-hand smoke is 23 times higher inside designated smoking areas
Salt Lake City International Airport has a 100% smoke-free indoor air policy
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smoke-free indoor air policy. This means that smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated areas in front of the terminal. Specifically, there is a designated smoking area outside the terminal on the west side of the building on the ground level.
The airport started phasing out its smoking rooms in July 2016, with the first lounge closing on July 5. By the end of 2016, Salt Lake City International Airport had successfully transitioned to a completely smoke-free indoor space, joining many other airports around the world in prioritising the health of passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and airport employees. The former smoking lounge glass walls have been removed, and the space has been repurposed to include seating, tables, and power charging stations.
The decision to go smoke-free was led by Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, who emphasised the importance of public health for both travellers and airport employees. This move has been applauded by public health advocates and organisations, such as the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, as it protects individuals from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Additionally, more airports are adopting smoke-free zones outside entrances and in semi-enclosed areas to further reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.
While some smokers may find it inconvenient to have to go outside the airport to smoke, the benefits of a smoke-free indoor environment outweigh this minor inconvenience. The removal of smoking lounges also aligns with the broader decline in smoking rates in the United States, indicating a shift towards a healthier and more smoke-free culture.
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Designated smoking areas are in front of the terminal
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy. This means that smoking is not permitted inside the airport. However, there are designated smoking areas located in front of the terminal. These designated smoking areas are positioned outside the terminal on the west side of the building on the ground level.
The airport previously had five smoking rooms, with one in each terminal. However, these smoking rooms were phased out, with the first closing on July 5 and the last one closing during the week of December 19. The former smoking lounge glass walls have been removed, and the space has been repurposed into seating, tables, and power charging stations.
Salt Lake City International Airport is not alone in its decision to go smoke-free. Many airports are adopting smokefree zones outside entrances and in semi-enclosed areas such as garages and shuttle stops. Additionally, more than 600 U.S. airports are now 100% smoke-free. This move towards smoke-free policies is driven by public health concerns, as second-hand smoke exposure can be harmful to travellers and airport employees.
If you are looking for the designated smoking areas at Salt Lake City International Airport, they can be located using the Airport Terminal Map available on the airport's website. Remember to only smoke in these designated areas and respect the airport's smokefree indoor air policy.
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Salt Lake City Airport once had five post-security smoking rooms
Salt Lake City International Airport once promoted its five post-security smoking rooms as a convenience for smokers making connections. However, in May 2016, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced that the airport would transition to a 100% smoke-free indoor air policy by the end of the year. The airport started phasing out the smoking rooms in July, with the first lounge closing on July 5. By the end of 2016, Salt Lake City International Airport had successfully implemented a smoke-free policy, joining the ranks of airports around the world that prioritise the health of passengers, pilots, flight attendants, and airport employees.
The former smoking room glass walls have been removed, and the spaces have been repurposed into amenities such as seating, tables, and power charging stations. The airport's $1.8 billion terminal remodel program, which began in 2020, also did not include smoking rooms in its current designs. Public health advocates and organisations applauded the airport's decision, as it protects workers and passengers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
While some smokers may have found the smoking rooms convenient, especially when making connections, the decision to remove them was based on public health concerns. The air pollution from secondhand smoke inside designated airport smoking areas was found to be significantly higher than the air outside these spaces. A 2006 surgeon general's report also concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. By eliminating the smoking rooms, the airport not only improved indoor air quality but also reduced the potential health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure.
In addition to Salt Lake City International Airport, other airports have also adopted smoke-free policies and zones. As of 2018, Denver International Airport had closed three of its four indoor smoking rooms and was scheduled to close the final one. Beijing Capital International Airport, the world's second busiest airport, is also smoke-free. These moves towards smoke-free policies in airports reflect a broader trend of declining smoking rates in the United States and a growing awareness of the health impacts of secondhand smoke.
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Salt Lake City Airport is one of 5 large US airports to allow smoking in designated rooms
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy. This means that smoking is only permitted in designated areas in front of the terminal. The designated smoking area is located outside the terminal on the west side of the building on the ground level.
Salt Lake City Airport is not one of the 5 large US airports to allow smoking in designated rooms. As of April 1, 2025, 32 of the top 35 US airports now have 100% smoke-free indoor air policies. The three exceptions to this are Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Miami International Airport, and Nashville International Airport.
At Miami International Airport, smoking is permitted in the 'open-air' atrium, which has four walls and a roof with a gap at the roofline. In Nashville International Airport, smoking is permitted in Travelers Post, Concourse B. Las Vegas International Airport has the most areas where smoking is permitted, including Barney's Lounge (C gates) and the Budweiser Racing Track Lounge in the Esplanade Pre-Security area.
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Second-hand smoke is 23 times higher inside designated smoking areas
Salt Lake City International Airport has implemented a 100% smoke-free indoor air policy. Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated outdoor areas in front of the terminal. There is a designated smoking area outside the terminal on the west side of the building on the ground level.
Second-hand smoke is a serious health hazard, and it is important to take measures to protect non-smokers from exposure. Research has shown that second-hand smoke is 23 times higher inside designated smoking areas than in smoke-free environments. This is due to the build-up of smoke in enclosed spaces, which can linger and reach dangerous levels. By contrast, outdoor smoking areas help to dissipate the smoke, reducing the concentration of harmful toxins in the air.
The dangers of second-hand smoke are well-documented. It is a known cause of lung cancer and can trigger asthma attacks, among other serious health issues. The implementation of smoke-free policies in airports and other public spaces is a crucial step towards protecting public health. Creating smokefree zones outside entrances and in semi-enclosed areas such as garages and shuttle stops further reduces the risk of exposure to second-hand smoke.
The transition to a smoke-free environment at Salt Lake City International Airport is a positive step towards ensuring the health and comfort of all passengers and employees. By providing designated outdoor smoking areas and adopting a smoke-free policy, the airport is helping to reduce the harmful effects of second-hand smoke exposure. This is especially beneficial for individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions, who may be particularly sensitive to the effects of second-hand smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
Salt Lake City International Airport implemented a 100% smokefree indoor air policy in 2016. However, smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas in front of the terminal. There is a designated smoking area outside the terminal on the west side of the building on the ground level.
No, the airport does not have any indoor smoking areas. Salt Lake City Airport previously had five post-security smoking rooms, but these were phased out in 2016.
Yes, among the 50 busiest North American airports, 14 of the 18 had a smoke-free policy as of 2015. However, Atlanta, Denver, McCarran International in Las Vegas, Mexico City International, and Washington-Dulles airports still permit smoking in some indoor areas.
