Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is one of the busiest airports in the United States and a major gateway to the New York metropolitan area. Located in Newark, New Jersey, EWR handles over 46 million passengers a year across three terminals. Under New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act, the entire airport is smoke-free indoors. There are no smoking zones, no indoor lounges, and absolutely no post-security smoking areas. Your only option is one of the 10 designated outdoor smoking areas spread across the three terminals, all located before security.
Smoking Policy at Newark Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport enforces a strict no-smoking policy inside all buildings. This covers every terminal, gate area, lounge, restaurant, restroom, corridor, and parking garage. The policy is mandated by the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, which bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces statewide. E-cigarettes and vaping devices fall under the same rules. Violating the policy carries a $25 fine, and repeat offenders may face additional consequences. All designated outdoor smoking areas must be at least 25 feet from any entrance, exit, or air intake.
How Newark Airport Is Laid Out
EWR has three separate terminal buildings connected by the AirTrain, a free monorail system that also links to the NJ Transit and Amtrak rail station. Each terminal operates somewhat independently with its own check-in counters, TSA checkpoints, and gate areas. Moving between terminals requires riding the AirTrain, which takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes depending on your start and end point. This layout matters for smokers because once you exit security at one terminal, you will need to re-clear TSA at the same terminal to get back to your gate.
Terminal A
Terminal A serves domestic flights and handles airlines including JetBlue, United Express (regional operations), Air Canada, and several other carriers. Parts of Terminal A were recently renovated with updated facilities and a more modern layout.
Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are available at both the arrivals level (ground floor) and the departures level (upper floor). Look for marked smoking areas at least 25 feet from the entrance doors. There are roughly 3 designated spots around Terminal A.
Post-security smoking: None. There is no way to smoke after clearing TSA in Terminal A. You must exit to the landside outdoor areas.
Terminal B
Terminal B is the largest terminal at Newark by airline count. It handles a mix of domestic and some international flights. Airlines operating from Terminal B include Delta, American Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and others. Because of the number of carriers, Terminal B tends to be the most crowded terminal at EWR, especially during morning and evening peak hours.
Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones are located at both the arrivals and departures levels. Terminal B has the most smoking areas of the three terminals, with approximately 4 designated spots spread around the building. Signage directs you to approved locations.
Post-security smoking: None. No smoking or vaping is allowed anywhere past the TSA checkpoint. You must exit the secure area entirely.
Terminal C
Terminal C is the United Airlines hub at Newark and one of the busiest United facilities in the country. It handles both domestic and international United flights across three concourses: C1, C2, and C3. International departures and arrivals are concentrated in C3, which also houses the United Polaris Lounge and Global First Lounge. None of these premium lounges permit smoking.
Smoking areas: Outdoor designated zones at the arrivals and departures levels, with roughly 3 designated spots around the terminal exterior. The smoking areas near the departures level are accessible before entering the building.
Post-security smoking: None. Concourses C1, C2, and C3 are entirely smoke-free. There are no smoking rooms, balconies, or outdoor terraces past security in any concourse.
No Smoking After Security
This is the single most important thing to know about smoking at Newark Airport: there are zero smoking areas beyond security in any terminal. If you need to smoke during a layover or connection, you must exit the secure area, find an outdoor designated zone, and then go back through TSA screening.
During off-peak hours, this round trip might take 20 to 30 minutes. During peak travel times, especially mornings (6 AM to 9 AM) and late afternoons (4 PM to 7 PM), TSA lines at EWR can stretch to 30 to 60+ minutes. Terminal C in particular is known for long security queues due to the volume of United flights. If you have a tight connection, smoking between flights is not realistic.
For international arrivals clearing customs in Terminal B or C, you will already be on the landside after exiting the Federal Inspection Services area. You can step outside to smoke before re-entering security for a connecting flight.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
E-cigarettes, vape pens, and all electronic nicotine delivery devices are treated identically to traditional cigarettes at Newark Airport. They cannot be used inside any terminal building, and you must use the same designated outdoor smoking areas. This applies to heated tobacco products as well.
Tips for Smokers at Newark Airport
- Smoke before entering the terminal. Once you clear TSA, your next opportunity to smoke requires exiting security and going through screening again.
- Budget at least 45 minutes if you plan to smoke during a layover. This accounts for walking to the exit, smoking, and clearing TSA again. During peak hours, allow a full hour.
- Use the AirTrain strategically. If you have a long layover and need to smoke, riding the AirTrain to your terminal’s curbside area is free and takes only a few minutes.
- Terminal C connections are the tightest. United’s hub operation means heavy passenger volume and longer TSA lines. If your connection is under 90 minutes, smoking between flights is risky.
- Stay 25 feet from doors. Port Authority police enforce the distance rule, and fines start at $25.
- Nicotine alternatives are sold inside. Several shops past security sell nicotine gum, patches, and pouches if you cannot make it outside.
- Check your boarding pass timing. Gate agents at EWR sometimes begin boarding 35 to 40 minutes before departure for international flights. Missing the boarding window means missing the flight.
- International arrivals have a natural break. After clearing customs you are already landside, so you can step outside before heading back through security.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Areas | Location | Post-Security Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal A | ~3 outdoor zones | Arrivals and departures levels, 25 ft from doors | None |
| Terminal B | ~4 outdoor zones | Arrivals and departures levels, 25 ft from doors | None |
| Terminal C (C1/C2/C3) | ~3 outdoor zones | Arrivals and departures levels, 25 ft from doors | None |
| United Polaris Lounge | None | Terminal C3 | No smoking |
| All Indoor Areas | None | Entire airport | No smoking |
| E-Cigarettes/Vaping | Same rules as cigarettes | Outdoor zones only | None |