Smoking at Vancouver International Airport – YVR – 2026

Looking for a place to smoke at Vancouver Airport? YVR enforces a complete indoor smoking ban with outdoor designated areas.

Domestic Terminal

International Terminal

Outside Terminals

Canada banned smoking in all federally regulated workplaces, including airports, under the Non-smokers’ Health Act and Tobacco and Vaping Products Act. All Canadian airports enforce a strict indoor smoking ban with no exceptions. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas, typically at least 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) from entrances, though this distance varies by province. Provincial laws add additional restrictions: Ontario requires 9 meters from building entrances, British Columbia requires 6 meters, and Quebec requires 9 meters. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are subject to the same distance restrictions. Cannabis smoking at airports is prohibited even in provinces where recreational cannabis is legal.

Domestic Terminal

• Outdoor smoking area on Level 3 (departures) outside the terminal entrance
• Additional area on Level 2 (arrivals) near the exit
• British Columbia requires smoking at least 6 meters from doorways

International Terminal

• Outdoor smoking area outside the international departures entrance
• No post-security smoking access for international passengers

Outside Terminals

• Designated areas are clearly marked with signage
• The domestic and international terminals are connected but share no post-security smoking zones

Canada Smoking Regulations

Canada banned smoking in all federally regulated workplaces, including airports, under the Non-smokers’ Health Act and Tobacco and Vaping Products Act. All Canadian airports enforce a strict indoor smoking ban with no exceptions. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas, typically at least 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) from entrances, though this distance varies by province. Provincial laws add additional restrictions: Ontario requires 9 meters from building entrances, British Columbia requires 6 meters, and Quebec requires 9 meters. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are subject to the same distance restrictions. Cannabis smoking at airports is prohibited even in provinces where recreational cannabis is legal.

Tips for Smokers at Vancouver International Airport

• Vancouver Airport has no indoor smoking rooms. The BC regulation requires you to stand at least 6 meters from any doorway or air intake when smoking outside YVR.
• Vancouver’s rainy climate means outdoor smoking at YVR can be wet. There is limited covered space near the smoking areas, so bring a jacket.
• If connecting between domestic and international flights, plan your smoke break before entering the international departures security area at Vancouver Airport.
• Cannabis smoking is not permitted at YVR despite being legal in British Columbia. This includes the outdoor smoking areas.