Yes — Calgary International Airport (YYC) has designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal at Doors 1, 7 and 17, on both the Arrivals and Departures levels. They are landside (before security), and the terminal is smoke-free and vape-free inside.
Outdoor Smoking Areas
The six marked spots are the only places to smoke or vape at YYC:
- Departures (upper) level — designated areas outside Doors 1, 7 and 17, curbside on the drop-off roadway
- Arrivals (lower) level — the same three doors, at the pickup and taxi roadway below
- Stand within the painted or signed area and keep clear of doors, windows and air intakes — Alberta’s Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act and the City of Calgary bylaw both require a setback from building entrances
If you land at YYC, the Arrivals-level areas outside Doors 1, 7 and 17 are the quickest to reach after baggage claim. If you are departing, use the Departures curb before you go through screening.
Terminal Layout and Concourses
YYC is one walk-through, airside-connected complex, so a single set of doors serves the whole building landside:
- The original Domestic Terminal (1977) is joined to the International Terminal (opened October 2016) by a 620-metre concourse and the YYC Link electric shuttle
- Domestic flights use Concourses A, B and C (WestJet mainly on the A gates, Air Canada mainly on C)
- Non-US international flights use Concourse D
- US transborder flights use Concourse E, behind US Preclearance (D and E are stacked in the 2016 International Terminal)
None of the concourses has an indoor or airside smoking area. Whichever gate you fly from, plan your smoke break at Doors 1, 7 or 17 before you clear security.
US Preclearance and Connections
YYC is one of eight Canadian airports with US Preclearance: passengers to the United States clear US customs and immigration on Concourse E before boarding. Once you enter the Preclearance hall you are in a sealed airside zone with no outdoor access, and you cannot leave to reach the landside smoking areas without abandoning your US screening. Smoke before you enter Preclearance.
For any connection, the same rule applies: there is no way to smoke after security at YYC, so use the curbside areas during the landside portion of your journey and factor a re-screening in if you step back out.
Vaping and Cannabis
- Vaping is allowed in the designated outdoor areas only. Alberta law treats e-cigarettes like tobacco, so vaping is not permitted anywhere inside the terminal.
- Recreational cannabis is prohibited everywhere on airport property in any form, in line with the City of Calgary bylaw.
- Medical cannabis may be smoked in the designated outdoor areas only, with valid ID and appropriate medical documentation.
Summary
| Location | Smoking area? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Departures level (Doors 1, 7, 17) | Yes | Curbside designated areas |
| Arrivals level (Doors 1, 7, 17) | Yes | Curbside designated areas |
| Concourses A / B / C (domestic) | No | Smoke-free — step out landside |
| Concourse D (international) | No | Smoke-free — step out landside |
| Concourse E (US Preclearance) | No | Sealed airside — smoke before entering |
| Vaping | Outdoor only | Same designated areas |
| Recreational cannabis | Prohibited | Banned on the entire property |
For Canada airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our Canada smoking guide.