Yes, Atlanta Airport (ATL) has designated smoking areas in outdoor spots at the terminal curbs. You’ll find them outside Door N1 and between Doors N3 and N4 on the Terminal North ticketing level, at Doors LN1 and LN2 on the north lower level, between Doors S1 and S2, between Doors S4 and S5 and outside Door S6 on the Terminal South ticketing level, at Doors LS1 and LS2 on the south lower level, and at the International Terminal by Doors D1 and D3 (departures) and Doors A1 and A3 (arrivals) — all before the TSA checkpoint. The indoor smoking rooms closed permanently in January 2020, so these outdoor areas are your options.
Atlanta is a major connecting hub — if you are flying on, see smoking at Chicago O’Hare Airport or smoking areas at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
Atlanta Airport Smoking Policy
ATL went fully smoke-free indoors in January 2020. The airport had operated several indoor smoking rooms in the concourses for years before they were all closed. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco or nicotine products are no longer permitted inside any building on airport property.
To light up, use one of the designated outdoor smoking areas; the airport places them at least 25 feet from the terminal entrances, and under-18s are not allowed to use them.
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.
Every outdoor smoking area is at the domestic terminal building or the International Terminal. 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 Door N1, or into the marked area between Doors N3 and N4. You’ll find 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 LN1 and LN2 on the lower level. The smoking areas here are by the ground transportation pickup area. If you just landed and need a cigarette before your ride, this is your quickest option.
Domestic Terminal South
The south side follows the same pattern, with one more marked spot on the upper level.
Departures Level (Ticketing): Outdoor smoking areas sit between Doors S1 and S2, between Doors S4 and S5, and outside Door S6 on the upper level. Follow the signs once you step outside.
Arrivals Level (Baggage Claim): Head to Doors LS1 and LS2 on the lower 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 east side of the airport complex and has its own outdoor smoking areas on both levels. Departing passengers use the upper level, outside Doors D1 and D3, before checking in. If you’re arriving on an international flight and have already cleared customs, step outside on the lower arrivals level at Doors A1 and A3.
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. You can smoke before re-entering security; build the extra time into 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. TSA PreCheck or Clear cuts the wait significantly; even so, budget at least 30 minutes for the whole round trip.
As a general rule, don’t attempt a smoke break unless you have at least 90 minutes before boarding.
Summary
| Area | Location | Smoking Allowed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal North Departures | Door N1, area between Doors N3 and N4 (upper level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Terminal North Arrivals | Doors LN1, LN2 (lower level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Terminal South Departures | Areas between Doors S1-S2 and S4-S5, Door S6 (upper level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Terminal South Arrivals | Doors LS1, LS2 (lower level) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| International Terminal | Doors D1, D3 (departures), Doors A1, A3 (arrivals) | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F | Past TSA checkpoint | No smoking | Airside — no access to smoking |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.