Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport on the planet, moving over 93 million passengers a year. If you smoke, the most important thing to know is that every indoor smoking area was permanently shut down in January 2020. There is nowhere to smoke once you pass through security. The only options are five outdoor smoking areas at the main terminal building, all located before the TSA checkpoint.
Smoking at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) – 2026
ATL went fully smoke-free indoors in January 2020 under the City of Atlanta Clean Indoor Air Ordinance. The airport had operated several indoor smoking lounges for years, but the city council voted to close them all. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco or nicotine products are now banned inside every building on airport property. Fines for violating the ban range from $100 to $200.
The only legal option is to use one of the designated outdoor smoking areas, and you must stand at least 25 feet from any terminal entrance or air intake vent.
Understanding the layout helps you plan your smoking break. ATL has two domestic terminals (North and South) that share one large building on the ticketing and baggage claim levels. From there, seven concourses stretch out in a line and are connected by the underground Plane Train automated people mover.
The concourses are labeled T, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Concourses T through D handle domestic flights. Concourse E is a mix of domestic and international gates. Concourse F is the dedicated international concourse at the far end of the Plane Train. A separate building, the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, serves as the check-in and arrivals hall for international flights.
All five outdoor smoking areas are at the main terminal building. None of the seven concourses have any smoking areas whatsoever, indoors or outdoors.
The north side of the domestic terminal has two sets of outdoor smoking areas.
Departures Level (Ticketing): Step outside near Doors N1 and N4. You’ll find designated smoking areas with ash receptacles along the curb. These are on the upper level where taxis and ride-shares drop off passengers.
Arrivals Level (Baggage Claim): After collecting your bags, head to Doors N8 and N10 on the ground level. The smoking areas here are near the ground transportation pickup zone. If you just landed and need a cigarette before your ride, this is your quickest option.
The south side mirrors the north terminal layout.
Departures Level (Ticketing): Outdoor smoking areas are located near Doors S2 and S6 on the upper level. Follow the signs once you step outside.
Arrivals Level (Baggage Claim): Head to Doors S8 and S12 on the ground level. This area is close to the taxi queue and ride-share pickup lanes, so it works well if you want to smoke while waiting for your car.
The international terminal sits on the west side of the airport complex and has its own outdoor smoking areas on both levels near the main entrance. If you’re arriving on an international flight and have already cleared customs, you can step outside on the lower level. Departing passengers can use the upper level area before checking in.
Keep in mind that if you’re connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight, your bags will typically need to be re-checked and you’ll need to pass through TSA security to reach the domestic concourses. Smoking before re-entering security is possible but adds significant time to your connection.
Every concourse at ATL is completely smoke-free. There are no smoking rooms, outdoor terraces, or designated areas of any kind past the TSA checkpoint.
If you are at Concourse F and want to smoke, you’d need to take the Plane Train all the way back to the main terminal, exit through security, use an outdoor smoking area, and then clear TSA again. That round trip can easily take 45 minutes or more.
Because every smoking area is outside security, you will need to go through TSA screening again after your smoke break. At an airport this busy, re-screening typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the time of day. Early mornings and late afternoons around the 4-6 PM wave tend to be the worst. If you have TSA PreCheck or Clear, the wait drops significantly, but you should still budget at least 30 minutes for the whole process.
As a general rule, don’t attempt a smoke break unless you have at least 90 minutes before boarding.
Smoke before you enter security. Once you’re through, there is genuinely no way to smoke without leaving the secure area entirely.
If you have a long layover of three hours or more, you have enough time to exit, smoke, and re-clear security. Anything less than two hours is risky.
The Domestic Terminal North and South smoking areas are the most accessible. The International Terminal areas are farther from the concourses and best used only if you’re already on that side.
Nicotine pouches, patches, and gum are allowed inside the terminals if you need something to get through a tight connection.
TSA PreCheck makes a real difference here. The dedicated lanes at ATL tend to move much faster than the standard lines.
If you’re picking someone up, the arrivals-level smoking areas at Doors N8/N10 or S8/S12 are right next to the ground transportation curb.
ATL’s outdoor-only policy mirrors most major US airports. Denver International Airport and Chicago O’Hare follow the same approach with no post-security access. The notable exception is Nashville Airport, which still has an indoor smoking spot at Travelers Post on Concourse B.
Atlanta Airport Smoking Policy
ATL went fully smoke-free indoors in January 2020 under the City of Atlanta Clean Indoor Air Ordinance. The airport had operated several indoor smoking lounges for years, but the city council voted to close them all. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco or nicotine products are now banned inside every building on airport property. Fines for violating the ban range from $100 to $200.
The only legal option is to use one of the designated outdoor smoking areas, and you must stand at least 25 feet from any terminal entrance or air intake vent.
How ATL Is Laid Out
Understanding the layout helps you plan your smoking break. ATL has two domestic terminals (North and South) that share one large building on the ticketing and baggage claim levels. From there, seven concourses stretch out in a line and are connected by the underground Plane Train automated people mover.
The concourses are labeled T, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Concourses T through D handle domestic flights. Concourse E is a mix of domestic and international gates. Concourse F is the dedicated international concourse at the far end of the Plane Train. A separate building, the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, serves as the check-in and arrivals hall for international flights.
All five outdoor smoking areas are at the main terminal building. None of the seven concourses have any smoking areas whatsoever, indoors or outdoors.
Domestic Terminal North
The north side of the domestic terminal has two sets of outdoor smoking areas.
Departures Level (Ticketing): Step outside near Doors N1 and N4. You’ll find designated smoking areas with ash receptacles along the curb. These are on the upper level where taxis and ride-shares drop off passengers.
Arrivals Level (Baggage Claim): After collecting your bags, head to Doors N8 and N10 on the ground level. The smoking areas here are near the ground transportation pickup zone. If you just landed and need a cigarette before your ride, this is your quickest option.
Domestic Terminal South
The south side mirrors the north terminal layout.
Departures Level (Ticketing): Outdoor smoking areas are located near Doors S2 and S6 on the upper level. Follow the signs once you step outside.
Arrivals Level (Baggage Claim): Head to Doors S8 and S12 on the ground level. This area is close to the taxi queue and ride-share pickup lanes, so it works well if you want to smoke while waiting for your car.
Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
The international terminal sits on the west side of the airport complex and has its own outdoor smoking areas on both levels near the main entrance. If you’re arriving on an international flight and have already cleared customs, you can step outside on the lower level. Departing passengers can use the upper level area before checking in.
Keep in mind that if you’re connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight, your bags will typically need to be re-checked and you’ll need to pass through TSA security to reach the domestic concourses. Smoking before re-entering security is possible but adds significant time to your connection.
Concourse-by-Concourse Breakdown
Every concourse at ATL is completely smoke-free. There are no smoking rooms, outdoor terraces, or designated areas of any kind past the TSA checkpoint.
| Concourse | Airlines | Smoking Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T | Delta, Others | None | Closest to domestic terminal; no airside smoking |
| A | Delta | None | Major Delta hub concourse |
| B | Delta | None | Delta domestic gates |
| C | Delta, Others | None | Mixed carrier domestic gates |
| D | Delta, Southwest, Others | None | Domestic gates |
| E | Delta, International carriers | None | Mixed domestic and international |
| F | International carriers | None | Farthest from terminal; 15-min Plane Train ride |
If you are at Concourse F and want to smoke, you’d need to take the Plane Train all the way back to the main terminal, exit through security, use an outdoor smoking area, and then clear TSA again. That round trip can easily take 45 minutes or more.
Re-Screening After Smoking
Because every smoking area is outside security, you will need to go through TSA screening again after your smoke break. At an airport this busy, re-screening typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the time of day. Early mornings and late afternoons around the 4-6 PM wave tend to be the worst. If you have TSA PreCheck or Clear, the wait drops significantly, but you should still budget at least 30 minutes for the whole process.
As a general rule, don’t attempt a smoke break unless you have at least 90 minutes before boarding.
Tips for Smokers at ATL
Smoke before you enter security. Once you’re through, there is genuinely no way to smoke without leaving the secure area entirely.
If you have a long layover of three hours or more, you have enough time to exit, smoke, and re-clear security. Anything less than two hours is risky.
The Domestic Terminal North and South smoking areas are the most accessible. The International Terminal areas are farther from the concourses and best used only if you’re already on that side.
Nicotine pouches, patches, and gum are allowed inside the terminals if you need something to get through a tight connection.
TSA PreCheck makes a real difference here. The dedicated lanes at ATL tend to move much faster than the standard lines.
If you’re picking someone up, the arrivals-level smoking areas at Doors N8/N10 or S8/S12 are right next to the ground transportation curb.
ATL’s outdoor-only policy mirrors most major US airports. Denver International Airport and Chicago O’Hare follow the same approach with no post-security access. The notable exception is Nashville Airport, which still has an indoor smoking spot at Travelers Post on Concourse B.
Summary
| Area | Location | Smoking Allowed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal North Departures | Doors N1, N4 (upper level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Terminal North Arrivals | Doors N8, N10 (ground level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Terminal South Departures | Doors S2, S6 (upper level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Terminal South Arrivals | Doors S8, S12 (ground level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| International Terminal | Upper and lower levels near entrance | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F | Past TSA checkpoint | No smoking | Airside — no access to smoking |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke inside Atlanta Airport?
No. All indoor smoking areas at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport were permanently closed in January 2020. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas located at least 25 feet from terminal entrances.
Where are the smoking areas at Atlanta Airport?
ATL has five outdoor smoking areas: near doors N1, N4, N8, and N10 at Terminal North; near doors S2, S6, S8, and S12 at Terminal South; and on both levels of the International Terminal near the main entrance.
Are there smoking areas after security at ATL?
No. There are no smoking areas past the TSA security checkpoint. If you need to smoke after clearing security, you must exit the terminal and go through screening again.
What is the fine for smoking inside Atlanta Airport?
Violating the indoor smoking ban at ATL can result in fines between 0 and 0. Only use the designated outdoor smoking areas to avoid penalties.