Yes, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) has designated smoking areas. They are outdoor areas located at the curbside on both the departures and arrivals levels, set back from the entrance doors. The terminal interior and both operational concourses are smoke-free.
Smoking Policy at Jacksonville Airport
Designated outdoor smoking areas are positioned on the curbside outside the terminal, set back from the building entrances. These areas have ashtrays and are clearly signed, and they take cigarettes, cigars and pipes alike.
The terminal interior is smoke-free under Florida’s Clean Indoor Air Act, so there are no indoor smoking rooms, cabins, or lounges anywhere in the facility.
How Jacksonville Airport Is Laid Out
JAX has a single terminal building with two operational concourses: A and C, each with about 10 gates. A new Concourse B is under construction between them. Both open concourses branch off from one central ticketing hall and security checkpoint — good news for smokers, because it means there is only one security line to deal with when you re-enter after stepping outside.
The terminal has two main levels. The upper level handles departures and ticketing, while the lower level is for baggage claim and arrivals. Both levels have exits that lead to the curbside areas where you can smoke.
Concourse A
Smoking areas: The curbside areas outside the main terminal — return to the terminal and exit the building at either level. After security: The concourse and its gates are smoke-free, so budget time to re-clear the TSA checkpoint.
Concourse A is used primarily by American Airlines and some regional carriers. Since both operational concourses connect to the same central area, the walk from Concourse A gates back to the terminal exit is relatively short.
Concourse B (Under Construction)
Smoking areas: Not applicable — the concourse is not yet open.
The original Concourse B was demolished in June 2009 when the Jacksonville Aviation Authority shelved plans to rebuild it. Its $344 million replacement is under construction in the center of the terminal and is on schedule to open in December 2026 with six gates, most of them for American Airlines. Until it opens, JAX operates only Concourses A and C. When the new concourse does open, it will be smoke-free past security like the rest of the airport.
Concourse C
Smoking areas: The curbside areas outside the main terminal — head back through the terminal and exit at either level. After security: The concourse and its gates are smoke-free.
Concourse C serves a mix of domestic carriers including Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest, plus seasonal services. Like Concourse A, the smoking areas are all landside, so plan your smoke break before you get in the TSA line.
Outside the Terminal
The designated outdoor smoking areas at JAX are on the curbside at both the upper (departures) and lower (arrivals) levels. The lower arrivals level is generally the quieter of the two. Look for the marked areas with standing ashtrays positioned away from the entrance doors.
Jacksonville’s warm and humid climate makes outdoor smoking comfortable most of the year. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common and can roll in quickly, and there is no covered shelter specifically for the smoking areas, so keep that in mind during Florida’s rainy season.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated identically to traditional smoking at Jacksonville Airport, so use them in the outdoor designated smoking areas at the curbside. The terminal interior is vape-free throughout, including restrooms, gate areas, restaurants, and lounges. TSA allows e-cigarettes and vape devices in carry-on bags, never in checked luggage.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Location Details |
|---|---|---|
| Inside terminal | No | Entire building is smoke-free |
| Concourses A & C | No | No smoking past TSA security (new Concourse B opens December 2026) |
| Upper level curbside | Yes | Designated areas outside the departures entrances |
| Lower level curbside | Yes | Designated areas outside arrivals/baggage claim |
| Restaurants and lounges | No | All indoor dining is smoke-free |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.