Yes, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) has designated smoking areas. They are outdoors on the lower ground-transportation level, near baggage claim and the curbside pickup lanes. Smoking is outdoor-only here, so plan your break before security or step out and re-screen.
Cleveland Hopkins Airport Layout
CLE has a single two-level passenger terminal with three operational concourses — A, B, and C. On the airport’s own airline listings, Concourse A handles Frontier along with international arrivals; Concourse B serves Delta and Southwest; and Concourse C handles American, United, Alaska, JetBlue and Air Canada. The former Concourse D has been vacant since 2014 when United wound down its hub, so the airport works from these three concourses, which connect airside after security. The CLEvolution modernization program is underway, with a replacement terminal targeted for 2032, so the concourse layout you fly through today is unchanged for the time being.
The terminal is split between an upper departures/ticketing level and a lower arrivals level with baggage claim and ground transportation. All of the designated smoking areas are outdoors on the lower level.
Outdoor Smoking Areas (Lower Level)
The designated smoking areas are outside on the ground-transportation level, near baggage claim and the curbside pickup lanes. After collecting your bags, exit through the baggage-claim doors and look for the marked spots with ash receptacles along the curb. This is also the quickest option if you have just landed and want a cigarette before your ride arrives.
Stand at least the posted distance from the terminal entrances and air intake vents — Ohio’s clean-indoor-air rules keep smoking away from the doorways, so follow the signage.
Departures Level (Upper)
If you are still curbside on the upper ticketing level before checking in, you can smoke outdoors away from the entrances before you go through TSA. Once you are airside, there is no smoking until you exit again, so it is usually simpler to take your break down on the lower level near baggage claim where the marked areas are.
Concourses A, B, and C
Smoking from any of the three concourses means the same round trip: leave the secure area, walk down to the lower-level outdoor area near baggage claim, then clear security again. All three concourses are smoke-free, with no smoking rooms, terraces or designated areas past the TSA checkpoint. Budget roughly 30 to 40 minutes for the full loop including re-screening, and take the break only when you have comfortable time before boarding.
Summary
| Area | Location | Smoking Allowed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower level (arrivals) | Outside near baggage claim / ground transportation | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Upper level (departures) | Outside ticketing curb, away from doors | Outdoor only | Before security |
| Concourses A, B, C | Past TSA checkpoint | No smoking | Airside — no access to smoking |
Flying on through Ohio? See our guide to smoking at Columbus Airport (CMH) for the other major hub in the state.
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.