Modern travel isn’t always kind to the nicotine users of the world. There was a time not too long ago when even airplanes had dedicated smoking sections where people could puff to their hearts’ content while they were in the air. Those days are long gone, of course – and although you can definitely bring a vape on a plane without a problem, you’re going to get in serious trouble if you try to use it. The time that you spend in the plane, though, will only represent a relatively small portion of your traveling experience. What about the time that you spend waiting for your flight to board – can you vape in an airport?
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is usually “no.” Just about all of the major airports in the United States – along with many large airports in the rest of the world – have implemented policies that prohibit smoking and vaping in all indoor areas. Although a few indoor airport smoking lounges do still exist, they’re mostly relics of the past.
However, there is a catch that can potentially be good news for you in some cases: The fact that an airport may have implemented an indoor clean air policy doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t vape there at all because some airports have smoking areas that are technically outdoors but are still within their security perimeters.
So, have you got a trip coming up? In this guide, we’ll explain how you can vape at an airport and what you need to know about using an airport smoking area. We’ll also tell you what you can do if you’re unable to find a place to vape while you’re waiting for your flight.
How to Find a Place Where You Can Vape at an Airport
It’s increasingly unpopular for American airports to have smoking areas these days, although the situation is sometimes a little better in other regions. Whether you’re at home or abroad, though, one thing you’ll notice is that airports often don’t display the areas where you can vape on their websites. So, you’re unlikely to get a definitive answer as to whether you can vape at an airport that way. Here’s what you can do to find out.
- If you’re not at the airport yet and want to find out if you can vape there before you go, do some research online. There are millions of people who smoke or vape, and those people travel just like everyone else. There’s a good chance that someone has posted about the airport on Reddit or another forum.
- If you’re already at the airport, start by looking for signs. There are probably maps posted throughout the facility, so you can simply check for a cigarette icon. You should also check doors for smoking symbols.
If you’re unable to find a place where you can vape, don’t be shy about asking an attendant at the airport for help. Some airports have smoking areas that they don’t actively advertise, and an employee will be able to tell you if that’s the case.
Note that an airport will usually have several terminals, and in some cases, only one of the terminals will have an area where you can vape. It’s possible that you’ll have to do a bit of walking.
How to Vape at an Airport
Los Angeles International Airport. AirportSmokers.com
If you’re able to find a place to vape at an airport, you’re in luck – and now it’s time for us to explain how it works. An airport can have two types of smoking areas: indoor and outdoor. Here’s what you can expect the experience to be like.
- Indoor Smoking Area: As we explained at the beginning of the article, true indoor smoking areas at airports have become extremely rare over the past decade or so. If an airport has an indoor location where smoking is allowed, it’ll be a seating area or restaurant with large fans to vent the smoke outside. Given today’s anti-smoking climate, though, it’s more likely that an airport’s “indoor” smoking area will actually be an outdoor terrace, and you’ll need to walk through a restaurant or bar to get there. You can expect that you’ll need to either buy food or pay a flat fee to use the area.
- Outdoor Smoking Area: If an airport has an outdoor smoking area, it’ll essentially be an open-air cage that that gives people an opportunity to smoke or vape without leaving the security perimeter. Simply go through the doors, enjoy your vape and leave when you’re finished. Take all of your things with you and dispose of any waste before you leave.
What to Do if You Can’t Find a Vaping Area at an Airport
If you’re sure that an airport has no smoking area and want to avoid a nicotine fit, you have two options.
- You can vape before entering the airport. Just follow the signs; virtually every airport will have a well-marked smoking area somewhere outside the entrance. In this case, it’s definitely a good idea to make sure that you have some other form of nicotine supplementation available such as gum or lozenges.
- If you’re already at the airport, you can leave, vape and then come back in.
If you’re in a domestic airport, leaving the airport means that you’ll need to take all of your things out of the airport with you. When you reenter, you’ll need to go through the security checkpoint again.
If you’re in an international airport, you’ll need to do all of the things listed above – but that’s not all. In order to leave an airport in a foreign nation, you’ll need to go through the customs process and enter that country. You’ll need to present your passport and may also have to fill out some paperwork. Your luggage may also be scanned. If that sounds like too much effort just to puff on your vape for a few minutes, this is another case in which it’ll probably be a good idea to make sure that you have some other nicotine supplementation that you can use instead.
What Airports Have Places Where You Can Vape?
Nashville International Airport
It’s getting harder and harder to find places where you can vape at airports these days. There are still a few major airports in the United States, however, where you can find a spot to grab a few puffs. Things can change quickly, so we do recommend confirming this information before you go. For now, consider making one of these vape-friendly airports part of your itinerary.
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), South Carolina: This airport has a lovely outdoor garden where smoking and vaping are allowed. The airside garden is located in the Grand Hall on the second floor.
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Nevada: You’ll find several places where you can vape here, including at Barney’s Lounge, Bud 29 Track Lounge, outdoors near the baggage claim area and at the enclosed gaming lounges.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California: You can vape in an outdoor smoking area in Terminal B near the Panda Express restaurant. The blue signage hanging from the ceiling will help you find the area. It’s a caged outdoor area with a speaker for broadcasting flight departures.
- Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida: You can vape on the outdoor patio at TGI Friday’s, which is located at Gate D36. There’s no information on the official website stating whether you need to order food or pay a fee to use this smoking area.
- Nashville International Airport (BNA), Tennessee: You can vape at the Travelers Post Smoking Lounge, which is located at Concourse B near Gate B-10. Travelers report that the lounge charges a flat fee of $15, which grants unlimited entry and exit privileges.
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), California: The smoking area is near the walkway to the Aqua Caliente Concourse.
- Tampa International Airport (TPA), Florida: Travelers have reported several outdoor smoking areas past security. Just look for one of the “Outdoor Smoking Area” signs.
Headline image: GSP International Airport