Yes, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) has designated smoking areas on the commercial curbs outside both the North and South Terminals, marked with ashtrays and signage. The terminal interior is smoke-free for everyone travelling on a scheduled itinerary; the airport’s single indoor facility is a glass smoking room inside the North Terminal’s airside international transit lounge, reserved for technical-stop and transit passengers who cannot clear customs (see below). Winter temperatures can drop well below zero, so dress warmly before heading out.
The airport’s own policy limits smoking to those commercial-curb areas outside the two terminal buildings, reached through the ground-level exits. From November through March, Anchorage winters regularly see temperatures in the single digits or below zero, with wind chill making it feel colder still, so stepping outside for a cigarette takes some commitment.
How Anchorage Airport Is Laid Out
ANC has two main terminal areas: the North Terminal and the South Terminal (which includes the C Concourse). The South Terminal and C Concourse handle most domestic flights, including Alaska-specific bush carriers, while the North Terminal handles international arrivals and departures plus some regional services. The terminals are connected inside the building, and the overall layout is linear and fairly easy to navigate. The airport also has a large international cargo facility on the south side of the airfield, separate from passenger operations.
North Terminal
Smoking areas: The designated outdoor areas are on the commercial curb outside the North Terminal, through the ground-level exits. Inside, the gate areas, food court, and shops are smoke-free.
After security: The airside smoking room here is for non-clearing international transit passengers only (see below); every other departing passenger uses the commercial-curb areas landside and re-clears TSA.
South Terminal and C Concourse
Smoking areas: Head outside through the ground-level exits to the designated areas on the South Terminal’s commercial curb. The concourses and gate areas indoors are smoke-free.
After security: Smoking is landside for all departures here — exit the secure area, smoke at the curb, and re-clear TSA for your gate.
International Transit Lounge
ANC operates an airside indoor smoking room for international technical-stop and transit passengers only. It sits in the international/North Terminal secure transit area as a glass-enclosed, ventilated room, available under Alaska’s transit-lounge exemption (AS 18.35.301) for travellers who cannot leave the secure area between connecting international flights — current terminal guides list it among the lounges on Level 3 of the North Terminal.
Because entry depends on being a passenger who cannot clear customs, this room is closed to ordinary departing passengers — domestic and international alike. For everyone booked on a normal ticket, the curbside areas at the North and South terminals are the option to plan around.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping, e-cigarettes, and all electronic nicotine devices are treated the same as traditional cigarettes at ANC. Use the outdoor designated areas at curbside for vaping as well.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Location Details |
|---|---|---|
| Inside terminal | No | Smoke-free for every passenger on a scheduled ticket |
| International transit lounge | Transit only | Airside ventilated smoking room — non-clearing technical-stop and transit passengers |
| North Terminal (after security) | Transit only | Glass smoking room in the international transit lounge; no option for departing passengers |
| South Terminal / C Concourse (after security) | No | No post-security smoking for departing passengers |
| Outside – curbside | Yes | Designated areas near terminal exits |
| Vaping/e-cigarettes | Outdoor only | Same rules as traditional cigarettes |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.