Yes, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has designated outdoor smoking areas on the ground/arrivals level outside both the McNamara Terminal and the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal (formerly the North Terminal). Exit through baggage claim toward ground transportation and head to the marked areas along the curb, set back from the doors.

In the news (2026): the Wayne County Airport Authority withdrew its proposal for an indoor cigar lounge at Detroit Metro at its board meeting on 15 July 2026, citing economic uncertainty after the Spirit Airlines shutdown. The outdoor ground-level areas remain the place to smoke.

DTW is smoke-free inside both terminal buildings, including all concourses and gate areas. Smoking, vaping and e-cigarettes are not permitted anywhere indoors, so the outdoor ground-level areas at each terminal are your options.

McNamara Terminal (Edward H. McNamara Terminal)

The McNamara Terminal is DTW’s flagship building and the Delta/SkyTeam hub, home to Concourses A, B and C — including the mile-long Concourse A connected to the smaller B and C concourses by an underground tunnel and the ExpressTram. It is one of the largest airport terminals in the world.

Every gate and concourse here is smoke-free. To light up, ride back to the main terminal level, exit through the baggage claim doors on the ground (arrivals) level, and use the designated outdoor smoking area along the curb near the ground transportation center and the attached ground-level parking deck. Stand well away from the entrances at the marked spots with ash receptacles.

Because Concourse A alone stretches roughly a mile, getting from a far gate out to the curb and back through TSA is a long trip. There is no smoking area inside the concourses or in the tunnel between them.

Evans Terminal (formerly the North Terminal)

The Warren Cleage Evans Terminal — renamed from the North Terminal — handles the non-SkyTeam carriers, airlines such as Southwest, American, United and Frontier among others, across a single linear concourse. Like McNamara, the entire building is smoke-free indoors.

The designated outdoor smoking areas are on the lower (arrivals) level. After collecting your bags, step outside toward the curbside arrivals lane and ground transportation pickup, then look for the marked smoking area set back from the doors. This is the quickest spot to smoke right after you land at the Evans Terminal.

Between the Terminals

Each terminal has its own ground-level outdoor smoking area near its own ground transportation curb, and there is no airside or secure connection between the McNamara and Evans buildings. If you change terminals, you will exit, travel between buildings, and re-clear security — plan a smoke break around that rather than expecting a connected indoor route.

Summary

TerminalSmoking areaNotes
McNamara TerminalOutdoor, ground/arrivals level near ground transportation centerDelta/SkyTeam hub; Concourses A/B/C all smoke-free; long walk from far gates
Evans Terminal (ex-North)Outdoor, lower (arrivals) level near curbside pickupSouthwest, American, United and other non-SkyTeam carriers; single concourse, all smoke-free
Concourses (A, B, C, Evans)None — smoke-freeNo post-security smoking; must exit and re-clear TSA

For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?

Yes. DTW has designated outdoor smoking areas on the ground/arrivals (lower) level outside both the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal (formerly the North Terminal). Exit through baggage claim toward ground transportation and look for the marked areas along the curb, set back from the doors.

Where are the smoking areas at Detroit Metro Airport?

Outdoors on the lower (arrivals) level of each terminal. At the McNamara Terminal, step outside near the baggage claim doors toward the ground transportation center and ground-level parking. At the Evans Terminal, the outdoor areas are along the curbside arrivals lane near the pickup area.

Is there a smoking area after security at DTW?

Smoking at DTW is landside only — the designated outdoor areas are on the ground level outside each terminal, so exit, smoke, and allow time to re-clear TSA. Both terminals are smoke-free inside and past security.

Can I vape at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?

Yes, in the same designated outdoor areas as smoking. Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated like cigarettes at DTW and are not allowed anywhere inside the McNamara or Evans terminals — use the ground-level outdoor areas near ground transportation.