Yes, you can smoke at Appleton International Airport (ATW) — outdoors only, on the curb in front of the terminal. ATW is a compact single-terminal airport serving the Fox Valley, and the terminal building is smoke-free, so step outside the doors to light up.
How Appleton Airport Is Laid Out
ATW has a single terminal with one passenger concourse, all flights handled from the same building. The airport crossed one million passengers for the first time in 2024 and has been building a roughly $66 million, 47,000-square-foot concourse expansion: the first three new gates opened in April 2025, and the project roughly doubles ATW from five gates to about ten, adding boarding bridges, seating, and the ATW Biergarten. None of the expansion adds an indoor smoking room — the concourse and gate areas stay entirely smoke-free, so the only place to smoke is outside at the curb.
Where to Smoke at ATW
Smoke outdoors on the curbside footpath in front of the terminal, near the entrances and well clear of the doors. With one small terminal, there is no enclosed smoking shelter — the open curb is where travellers light up while waiting for a ride or before heading inside to check in. Look for an ashtray or posted signage and keep your distance from the doors so smoke does not drift into the building; if you are unsure, check the signage on the day.
After security: Smoking at ATW is landside only — to smoke once you have checked in, leave the secure area, head to the curb in front of the terminal, and re-clear screening before boarding. Screening here is quick compared with a large hub; still leave a buffer so you are not rushed.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping and e-cigarettes follow the same rules as cigarettes at ATW and are not allowed inside the terminal. Use the outdoor curbside area to vape rather than the gate areas or the ATW Biergarten.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal building / concourse | No | Smoke-free indoors |
| Gates / after security | No | Exit and re-clear TSA to smoke |
| Curbside / front of terminal | Yes | Outdoor area, keep clear of doors |
| Vaping/e-cigarettes | Outdoor only | Same rules as cigarettes |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.