Yes, you can smoke at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) — at the designated outdoor area at the north end of Level 1, next to Parking Lot 02, and at the marked curbside points outside the terminal doors. The terminal has been smoke-free inside since 1999, so plan to smoke before security or after you exit.
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier is the capital region’s main airport, a single-terminal facility handling domestic, US transborder and international flights for roughly five million passengers a year. Because everything runs through one compact terminal, the walk back out to smoke and through screening again is short compared with a big hub, but it still means re-clearing security if you have already gone airside.
Where to Smoke Outside the Terminal
The main designated smoking area at YOW is outdoors at the north end of Level 1, the arrivals and ground-transportation level, alongside Parking Lot 02. Step out from the Level 1 doors, head to the north end, and you will find the marked spot next to the parking structure.
You can also smoke at the marked curbside points outside the terminal entrances. Under Ontario’s setback rule these sit a set distance from the doors, so look for the signage and keep within the marked spot rather than lighting up right by an entrance.
There is no indoor smoking room and nothing airside. The airport phased out its last indoor smoking rooms years ago — the terminal went smoke-free on 1 June 1999 — and it has stayed that way since.
Departures, Arrivals and Transfers
Departing passengers should smoke before check-in and screening. The curbside points outside the departures doors and the Level 1 area by Parking Lot 02 are both landside, so once you clear the checkpoint there is no way to smoke without leaving again.
Arriving passengers reach the outdoor areas easily — the Level 1 smoking spot by Parking Lot 02 is right on the arrivals level, a short walk from baggage claim and the exits.
Transferring or on a layover? YOW’s single terminal is smoke-free past security, so you will need to exit through arrivals, use the Level 1 outdoor area, and go back through screening to return to your gate. The airport is small enough that this round trip is quick, but factor in the security queue before you decide there is time.
Vaping
E-cigarettes are treated the same as tobacco at YOW and are not allowed inside the terminal. Use the designated outdoor smoking area at Level 1 or the curbside points for both cigarettes and vapes. Cannabis smoking and vaping are prohibited anywhere on airport grounds, even though recreational cannabis is legal in Ontario.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor terminal | No | Smoke-free inside since 1999 |
| After security / airside | No | Single terminal, no airside room |
| Outdoor (landside) | Yes | North end of Level 1 by Parking Lot 02; marked curbside points |
For Canada’s airport smoking rules and vaping law, see our Canada airport guide.