Is There a Smoking Area at the Atlanta Airport (ATL)? +1-877-635-0053

If you are traveling through Atlanta, you may wonder: Is there a Smoking Area at Atlanta Airport (ATL)? Don’t worry, you are not alone because many passengers have the same question, especially during long layovers and flight delays. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and thousands of passengers visit here every day. So, it’s important to know where you can smoke and where it is strictly not allowed.

In recent years, Atlanta Airport has changed many smoking rules to protect passengers and offer a clean, smoke-free environment. Now, through this blog, you will also learn whether you can smoke inside the airport, and where outdoor smoking zones are located.

Let’s find out the answer!

Why is Smoking Inside The Atlanta Airport Banned?

ATL Airport is a busy international hub, where millions of people travel every year, so to protect passengers’ health and improve air quality, the airport decided to make the entire inside area 100% smoke-free, including:

Restaurants
Lounges
Check-in areas
Departure gates
Bathrooms
Food courts

The decision ensures a cleaner environment for children, senior citizens, and people with asthma or allergies.

Where Can You Smoke at Atlanta Airport Now?

¹Even though indoor smoking is banned, ATL does offer outdoor smoking areas. However, you must go through security, so you’ll need to pass TSA again when you come back.

Here’s a table detailing the exact doors you must exit from:

Terminal	Area Type	Designated doors/Zone	Notes
Domestic Terminal North	Lower Level(Arrivals)	LN1 and LN2	About 25 feet from the entrance
Domestic Terminal North	Main Level( Departure)	N1 and between N3–N4	Accessible before/between check-in
Domestic Terminal South	Lower Level (Arrivals)	LS1 and LS2	Curbside area
Domestic Terminal South	Main Level (Departures)	S1–S2, S4–S5, S6	Closest for Southwest travelers
International Terminal (Concourse F)	Upper Departures	D1 and D3	For Delta international departures
International Terminal (Concourse F)	Lower Arrivals	A1 and A3	For global arrivals & layovers

Can you vape or use E-Cigarettes at the Atlanta Airport?

Another common question that travelers ask is whether they can vape at Atlanta Airport (ATL). The answer is simple:-

Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated just like regular smoking.
You can’t vape anywhere inside the terminal, not even in restrooms, lounges, gates, or restaurants.
You’re only allowed to vape in the same outdoor smoking areas where cigarettes are permitted.

So if you are carrying e-cigarettes, think of them exactly like regular cigarettes, which you can only use in outdoor areas.

Important Restrictions and Rules

Here are some key rules about smoking at ATL. Let’s review what these are.

No Smoking Inside

As mentioned before, smoking or vaping is not allowed in terminals, concourses, or lounges.
This includes all types of tobacco products and electronic vaping devices.

Age Restriction

Persons under 18 years old are not allowed to smoke in the designated outdoor zones.

Fine for Violation

Violating the smoking ordinance (for example, smoking inside) can result in a civil penalty of up to $200.

Security Check on Re‑Entry Required

If you smoke in the outdoor zone, you will have to go back through security to re-enter the terminal.
For connecting passengers, this can be a hassle: you exit through the curbside area, smoke, and then re-clear TSA.
It’s recommended to allow enough time (45–90 minutes during busy periods) for this process.

No Indoor Vape And Smoke Rooms

There are no longer any smoking rooms or lounges inside the airport.
Vaping is banned indoors just like traditional smoking.

Cannabis Use

Smoking or vaping cannabis at ATL is illegal on airport grounds.

Smoking Restrictions by Airlines at Atlanta Airport

Different airlines follow strict smoking rules on flights. Smoking is banned on all flights globally.

Delta Air Lines

Delta is the largest airline operating at Atlanta Airport. Its smoking rules include:-

Smoking and vaping are strongly prohibited on all flights
E-cigarettes must be switched off and kept in a carry-on bag
Travelers must obey no-smoking signs or face penalties

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines also has very strict rules about smoking and vaping:

No vaping or smoking is allowed on any Southwest flight.
Passengers caught vaping or smoking can be fined heavily by federal aviation authorities.
Flight attendants can report violations to officials, which may lead to legal consequences.

Whether you fly Delta or Southwest from Atlanta, the rules are the same, and that is vaping and smoking are never allowed on board any aircraft. So, enjoy your flight smoke-free and stress-free!

Why Smoking at Atlanta Airport Isn’t Easy for Travelers

Some passengers feel frustrated by the smoking rules at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) because the setup isn’t always convenient. For travelers with short layovers, going outside to smoke, exiting the terminal, and then re-entering through security again can take too much time. Many travelers also don’t realize they need to pass through security again after smoking outside, so they often underestimate how long the process will take. On top of that, people worry about accidentally breaking the rules and getting fined for smoking in the wrong place.

Tips for Smokers Traveling Through ATL (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

If you smoke or vape and are flying via ATL, here are some practical tips:

Tips	What You Should Do	Why It Helps
Smoke before security	Take your smoke break outside before entering the TSA screening area.	You won’t need to exit and re-enter later.
Check layover time	Make sure you have enough time for exit, smoke, and security check if connecting.	Saves you from missing your next flight while waiting in long lines.
Use the ashtrays provided	Only smoke in designated areas where ashtrays are installed.	Keeps the area clean and avoids breaking rules.
Avoid jet/torch lighters	Use a normal lighter; avoid large flame devices.	Some lighters may be confiscated at security.
Carry nicotine alternatives	Keep nicotine gum, lozenges, or patches (if allowed).	Useful when you can’t smoke due to time limits or long queues.
Ask airline staff for guidance	Ask Delta or Southwest staff where the nearest smoking exit is.	They can quickly direct you, saving time and confusion.

End Note

Is there a smoking area at Atlanta Airport (ATL)? Yes, but only outdoors! Atlanta Airport allows smoking only in designated outdoor zones, since all indoor smoking rooms were permanently closed in 2020. These areas are located near the domestic and international terminals, at least 25 feet away from the airport entrances, just look for the signs outside. Always remember, if you go out to smoke, you’ll have to pass through security again, so plan your time wisely, and don’t forget that smoking outside the approved zones can lead to fines of up to $200, so stick to the marked areas and enjoy a stress-free break.