Yes, you can smoke at Hilo International Airport (ITO), but only outdoors. The official airport policy permits smoking in the parking lots and on the ground-level public sidewalks, as long as you stay at least 20 feet from any doorway, window or ventilation duct. The terminal is smoke-free “cabin to curb” under Hawaii Revised Statutes 328J.
Where You Can Smoke at Hilo Airport
The Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division allows smoking outdoors at ITO in two places:
- Parking lots — light up in the parking areas, keeping clear of the 20-foot buffer around building openings.
- Ground-level public sidewalks — permitted, but not within 20 feet of any entryway, window or vent.
Smoking is prohibited inside the terminal and along the curbside drop-off immediately in front of it — this is the “cabin to curb” rule. The policy covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vapes, heat-not-burn products), all of which follow the same outdoor-only rule.
What Smokers Should Plan For
- Connecting through ITO: there is no airside smoking, so you would need to exit security to reach the parking lots or sidewalks and then re-screen. Hilo is a small airport, so the walk is short.
- Arrivals: the parking lots and sidewalks are an easy step from baggage claim once you keep clear of the 20-foot buffer.
- Departures: smoke before clearing security, since there is no option past the checkpoint.
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.