Many worldwide airports supply areas for people who smoke (and vapers) to mild up contained in the terminals. However, thanks to wash indoor air legal guidelines adopted over time in lots of cities and states, smoking of any variety is prohibited inside most airport services within the U.S. Designated smoking areas — in the event that they exist — are outdoors.
There are some holdouts. People who smoke can nonetheless discover smoking lounges, patios and different “smoking allowed” spots postsecurity at terminals in Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Tampa and Gulfport, Mississippi.
And, come 2026, a serious U.S. airport could be part of that checklist.
On Oct. 1, the Wayne County Airport Authority — which operates Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) — issued a Request for Proposals for brand new food-and-beverage concessions in DTW’s McNamara Terminal.
That request features a proposed bar/lounge idea with meals, retail cigars and an enclosed cigar smoking space in Concourse A, close to gates 43 by means of 47.
DTW’s bars and eating places have been smoke-free since 2010, when Michigan’s Smoke-Free Indoor Air Regulation was handed. However the regulation makes an exemption for stand-alone cigar lounges.
The inclusion of a cigar bar in DTW’s present request “was developed in response to curiosity from the neighborhood and native companies, particularly because it pertains to the worldwide nature of the airport,” mentioned Cortez Strickland, the airport’s communication and public relations supervisor.
He added that the request requires bidders to supply a state-of-the-art air dealing with and air flow system and facility design to scale back smoke publicity “to the fullest extent attainable.”
Proposals for the cigar lounge at DTW are due in January 2026, however the very thought of the lounge would not sit nicely with many nonsmokers, employees’ rights organizations and nonsmoking rights teams, citing a Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention research that reported secondhand smoke points in lots of nonsmoking areas at airports with smoking lounges.
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“On high of all the same old difficulties that include flying, [DTW] vacationers will now should take care of the acute well being hazard of secondhand smoke publicity as they move by means of this busy hub,” mentioned Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of People for Nonsmokers’ Rights Basis. “Not solely that, however airport employees will probably be pressured to breathe in poisonous fumes simply to earn a dwelling.”
Which different US airports have postsecurity smoking areas?
Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS)
At Harry Reid Worldwide Airport in Las Vegas, there are eight gaming lounges the place smoking is permitted. Every lounge has slot machines inside enclosed, ventilated areas, and entry to those areas is restricted to vacationers 21 and older. The airport notes that whereas smoking is allowed in these lounges, marijuana and different hashish merchandise can’t be used within the lounges as a result of these substances are prohibited on airport property, per federal regulation.
At LAS, there’s one gaming lounge that permits smoking at each the A and B gates in Terminal 1. There are two lounges in Terminal 1 on the Concourse C gates, close to gates C5 and C25.
Concourse D has two lounges, close to gates D16 and D50. There are additionally two lounges in Terminal 3 on the E gates, close to Gate E3 and Gate E14.
Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA)
At Miami Worldwide Airport, people who smoke can order a drink and/or a meal and lightweight up on the surface patio of TGI Friday’s, which is within the North Terminal of Concourse D, by Gate D36. There may be additionally a piece off the aspect of the patio the place people who smoke could stand and smoke with out making a purchase order.
Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA)
Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) has 4 separate postsecurity airside terminals: airsides A, C, E and F. Every has a lined outside smoking space.
Search for these lounges by Gate A18, Gate C30, Gate E62 and Gate F88.
Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA)
At Nashville Worldwide Airport, people who smoke can mild up on the Vacationers Submit Smoking Lounge in Concourse B, close to Gate B10. The lounge is an airport concession program and features a small store adjoining to a ventilated, enclosed lounge. Drinks are served right here, and entry requires a payment. Posted hours are 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Gulfport-Biloxi Worldwide Airport (GPT)
Mississippi’s five-gate Gulfport-Biloxi Worldwide Airport has a filtered smoking room by gates 2 and three.
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