How Airports Are Adapting to Smoking Bans: Alternatives for Smokers

Rise of Smoking Bans in Airports

Smoking is generally banned at airports worldwide due to health and environmental regulations. Now, we focus more on eco- and body- friendly solutions, so no wonder airport smoking is disliked by many. However, there are still places that smokers may use legally, such as some lounges, smoking areas, terraces, and special rooms.

The best option for a traveler who smokes is to check all the conditions at the specific airport. Breaking the rules is risky, so try to avoid such situations. Prepare for your trip accordingly and plan ahead.

Designated Smoking Areas Outside Airport Terminals

Smoking areas may be located outside airport terminals. For example, the following airports use such solutions:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport
• Denver International Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Birmingham Airport
• Durham (Teesside International) Airport
• Glasgow Airport

Such places are usually situated near entrances or parking lots. You can check the specific areas on the map, digital or traditional. They should be available online.

Indoor Smoking Lounges and Rooms

Booking access to lounges with smoking areas is a good idea if you need a cigarette during travel. The ventilation systems and other features, such as showers, food, or drinks, are the best solutions that enable a convenient experience for passengers.

If you are looking for an airport that offers smoking lounges, whenever you use traditional or electronic cigarettes, consider the following:

• Narita Airport: You can find 14 smoking lounges there. They are clearly marked, so you won’t miss them. Check the map of the airport to know more.
• Salt Lake City International Airport: There are designated smoking areas in front of the terminals at this airport, near the entrances.
• Washington Dulles International Airport: You can smoke or use e-cigarettes only in the special lounges located at each concourse.
• Hamad International Airport: Smoking is possible at the designated areas in the lounges with special extractors.
• Kansai Airport: The lounges where smoking is allowed are located throughout the airport. You can find them on the airport map.
• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: Smoking areas and lounges are available there. They are marked with white dotted lines.
• McCarran International Airport: Smoke-free places can be found near ticketing/baggage claim and in lounges at the B, C, D, & E Gates. Besides, it’s possible at the Barney’s Lounge in Gate C and the Bud 29 Track Lounge in the T1 Esplanade.

Alternatives to Smoking

If it’s not possible to smoke at the airport, you should consider some substitutes. There are many products, such as gums, patches, herbal cigarettes, heated tobacco, sprays, inhalers, or snus, that can help you. To buy them, visit the nearest pharmacies or try to get them online. You can also distract yourself by snacking or exercising.

Tips for Traveling Smokers

• Check for smoking areas at the airport beforehand.
• Take with you some nicotine replacements, for example, gum, to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• Get acquainted with local laws in the destination country, as restrictions may be more strict.
• Don’t smoke in a non-smoking area.
• Plan ahead and manage time accordingly after and before the flight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I smoke inside the airport?

You can smoke at the airport as long as you are inside a smoking area, such as a special lounge or room. Read all the rules of the country and airport to know more about smoking regulations there.

Can I use vapes and e-cigarettes at the airport?

Vapes and e-cigarettes are allowed only in special places at the airport. You are not allowed to use them beyond the designated areas, so keep that in mind. If you fail to comply with the rules, you will be fined or even imprisoned.

Are there penalties for smoking in non-designated areas at the airport?

Yes, smoking people who break the airport rules will be punished. Usually, a financial fine is imposed, but you could also be imprisoned or deported.

Are outdoor smoking areas common in most airports?

Outdoor smoking areas may be available at the airport. Check all the details about specific airports to know more. You can also contact the staff for more details.

What should I do if there are no smoking facilities at an airport?

In case there are no smoking facilities (which is a rare situation, as most airports offer places to smoke), you should take with you some alternatives, such as gums or inhalers, to avoid withdrawal symptoms.