For travelers who enjoy a cigarette, navigating the increasingly smoke-free world can present a challenge, especially within the confines of an airport. While smoking has faced growing restrictions due to well-documented health concerns, a number of airports around the globe still cater to smokers, offering designated spaces where they can indulge before or between flights. These havens range from simple, functional areas to sophisticated lounges offering a range of amenities. This article provides a guide to airports that still provide smoking facilities, allowing travelers to plan their journeys with their needs in mind. Navigating the world as a smoker can be tricky, but this article will help you plan for your next journey.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport
Located in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport (CSMIA) offers a relatively generous provision for smokers. Designated smoking lounges are available throughout both the departure and arrival terminals, ensuring accessibility for travelers at various stages of their journey.
In Terminal 1, you can find these lounges in the arrival hall next to Belt Five, a convenient location for those just disembarking. For departing passengers in Terminal 1, a smoking area is situated between Gates 26 and 27.
Terminal 2 offers a wider selection of smoking lounges. These are located in Level 4 retail, Gate 28 (for international departures), Level 3 retail, Gate 42, and Gate 47 (for domestic departures). Further lounges are available in the arrivals hall on Level 2, specifically between baggage Belts 1 and 2, near Belt 5, and near Belt 12.
Given the multiple locations, it is advisable to consult the CSMIA website for the most detailed and up-to-date directions to these designated smoking areas.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
In the United States, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) provides a more exclusive smoking option. Smoking is permitted only within one of the three Graycliff Lounges, specifically the one located at Gate 11.
Access to the Graycliff Lounge requires a minimal entrance fee. This fee grants full-day access to the lounge and includes a complimentary drink. The lounge offers a range of products for sale, including cigarettes and cigars, alongside coffee and chocolate, providing a comfortable and convenient space for smokers.
Please note that access to the Graycliff Lounge is restricted to individuals aged 21 and over. This is in accordance with legal regulations regarding tobacco consumption.
Geneva Airport
Geneva Airport (GVA) in Switzerland offers a single, yet well-appointed, smoking lounge for its passengers. This lounge is situated in the transit area of Terminal T1.
The smoking lounge is designed to accommodate a significant number of passengers simultaneously. It is equipped with smoke extractors to ensure proper ventilation and minimize the impact on non-smokers. The lounge boasts a well-designed and inviting atmosphere, providing a comfortable and relaxing environment for travelers to smoke. The use of this lounge is free of charge.
Nashville International Airport
Nashville International Airport (BNA) provides smoking facilities through the Graycliff Cigar Company. The company operates two in-house smoking lounges located in Concourse B by Gate B-10 and Concourse C by Gate C-10.
A small entrance fee is required to access these lounges. Inside, patrons can purchase handcrafted cigars and other tobacco products, making it a convenient option for those who wish to enjoy a smoke while waiting for their flight.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), a major European hub, offers a variety of smoking options for travelers. These include both pre- and post-passport control areas.
Before passport control, designated smoking areas are located outside Schiphol Plaza. These areas are easily identifiable, marked with clear white dotted lines.
After passport control, most smoking lounges are situated within airport bars. This allows smokers to enjoy a drink and a cigarette in a more social setting.
It’s important to remember that smoking is generally banned in enclosed public spaces throughout the Netherlands. Schiphol Airport’s designated areas are exceptions to this rule.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the world’s busiest airports, restricts smoking in public areas. However, the airport does provide smoking lounges throughout its concourses.
With the exception of Concourse D, each concourse at ATL features at least one, and sometimes two, smoking lounges. This ensures that smokers have convenient access to designated areas regardless of their gate location.
Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas)
Harry Reid International Airport, formerly McCarran International Airport, in Las Vegas, Nevada, offers a more permissive approach to smoking compared to many other airports.
In addition to designated outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim, smoking is permitted within the gaming lounges located at the B, C, D, and E Gates. Furthermore, Barney’s Lounge in Gate C and the Bud 29 Track Lounge in the T1 Esplanade also allow smoking. This provides travelers with a variety of options, particularly for those who enjoy gambling or relaxing with a drink while they smoke.
Hamad International Airport
Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, maintains a strict no-smoking policy outside of its designated smoking lounges.
These lounges are strategically located throughout the departures terminals and are equipped with smoke extractors to ensure proper ventilation. This centralized approach to smoking control helps maintain air quality throughout the rest of the airport.
Narita Airport
Narita Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, Japan, provides a significant number of smoking lounges for its passengers.
Terminal 1 features 14 smoking lounges, while Terminal 2 boasts 19. These lounges are distributed throughout the airport and on nearly every floor, making them relatively easy to find. The lounges are clearly marked and can be located using airport maps. Smoking is strictly prohibited outside of these designated areas within the passenger terminals.
Kansai Airport
Kansai Airport (KIX) in Osaka, Japan, also restricts smoking to designated areas. These areas consist of smoking lounges located throughout the airport and smoking areas within some of the airport restaurants.
Terminal 1 has 19 lounges, Terminal 2 has six, and Aeroplaza has two. The lounges are completely enclosed to prevent smoke from spreading to other areas. Airport maps can be used to locate these facilities.
Salt Lake City International Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) takes a different approach. Smoking is only permitted at designated spots outside the terminals.
Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes or vaping, is allowed only in designated areas in front of the terminals, a minimum of 25 feet away from entrances.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C., permits smoking only in designated smoking lounges.
These lounges are located throughout the airport at each concourse near Gates B37, B73, C2, and D30. Smoking outside of these designated areas will result in a fine.
Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport (MIA) does not permit indoor e-cigarette use. Smoking is permitted outside the terminals on the Arrivals and Departures levels across the street from Concourse D, E, F, H, and J, and in an open-air atrium attached to the airport’s TGI Fridays restaurant near Gate D-36.
Disclaimer: Airport policies regarding smoking are subject to change. It is always advisable to verify the current regulations with the airport directly or through their official website before traveling. This article aims to provide general information and should not be considered a definitive guide. This article is designed to help smokers find an area in the airport that they can smoke, and enjoy the pleasure of smoking before getting on a long flight.
