Yes, you can smoke at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in the designated outdoor areas on the center-island curb of the upper (Departures) and lower (Arrivals) level roadways in front of the terminal. The spots are marked with signs and ashtrays on both levels.
BWI Marshall is a major mid-Atlantic hub and one of Southwest Airlines’ busiest bases. The whole terminal is a single connected building with five concourses (A, B, C, D and E) sharing one main security core, and the entire indoor space is smoke-free. Smoking happens on the outdoor roadway curbs, both before and after your flight.
Outdoor Smoking Areas (Curbside)
The airport’s own FAQ names the outer curb area — the center island — of the upper and lower level roadways in front of the terminal as the only place where smoking is permitted. The spots exist on both levels:
- Upper level (Departures): Step out from the ticketing/check-in hall to the center island across the drop-off lane. This is the handiest area for a last cigarette before you check in and clear security.
- Lower level (Arrivals/Baggage Claim): Exit through the Baggage Claim doors to the center island across the pickup lane. This is where most arriving and connecting passengers smoke.
The marked areas are kept clear of the entrances, so cross to the center island rather than lighting up right outside the doors.
Smoking After Security (Airside)
Every smoking option at BWI is on the landside curb, so a layover cigarette means leaving the secure area, crossing to a center-island designated spot, and clearing the TSA checkpoint again on the way back to your gate. All five concourses — A, B, C, D and E — are smoke-free, and the airport lounges, including The Club BWI in Concourse D, have no smoking facilities.
Concourses A, B, C, D and E
BWI’s concourses fan out from the single ticketing and security core. Southwest Airlines dominates Concourses A and B, with C, D and E handling other domestic carriers and international arrivals. None of the concourses has its own smoking area, so the situation is identical at every gate: smoke-free inside, with the only option being the outdoor roadway curbs before you enter or after you exit. Allow plenty of time for the walk back and the re-screening if you plan to step out mid-layover.
Summary Table
| Area | Smoking Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upper level (Departures) | Center-island curb across the drop-off lane | Outdoor, marked with signs |
| Lower level (Arrivals) | Center-island curb across the pickup lane | Outdoor, marked with ashtrays |
| Concourses A & B (Southwest) | None — smoke-free | Exit to curbside to smoke |
| Concourses C, D, E | None — smoke-free | No lounge smoking areas |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.