Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving as a major hub for both United Airlines and American Airlines. If you smoke, the bottom line is straightforward: O’Hare is completely smoke-free indoors. There are no smoking zones, no indoor lounges, and nothing available past the TSA checkpoint. Your only option is to step outside to designated outdoor smoking areas at each terminal entrance.
Smoking Policy at Chicago O’Hare Airport
O’Hare operates under the Smoke-free Illinois Act, which bans smoking in all indoor public places statewide. This covers every square foot of indoor space at the airport, including terminals, concourses, gate areas, restaurants, shops, airline lounges, and restrooms. E-cigarettes and vaping devices fall under the same restrictions.
You must be at least 15 feet from any doorway, window, or air intake vent when smoking outdoors. There are designated areas with ash receptacles and signage outside each terminal.
How ORD Is Laid Out
O’Hare has four terminals. There is no Terminal 4 — it was demolished years ago, so the numbering jumps from 3 to 5.
Terminal 1 is the main United Airlines hub, with Concourses B and C. Terminal 2 handles Delta and some United domestic flights across Concourses E and F. Terminal 3 is American Airlines territory, spread across Concourses G, H, K, and L. Terminal 5 is the international terminal with Concourse M, located separately from the other three.
Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected airside by the Automated Transit System (ATS), an underground people mover. Terminal 5 is not connected airside to the other terminals, so international passengers transferring to domestic flights must exit security and re-screen.
None of the terminals or concourses have any indoor smoking facilities. Once you pass through security at any terminal, you will not find a place to smoke until you leave the building.
Terminal 1 (United Airlines — Concourses B and C)
Terminal 1 is United’s main hub at O’Hare and handles a massive volume of domestic and international flights.
Outdoor Smoking: Designated areas are outside the terminal entrance on both the departures (upper) level and arrivals (lower) level. Look for the ash receptacle stations set back from the doors. The upper level curbside near the ticketing drop-off area tends to be less crowded than arrivals.
After Security: There is no smoking anywhere on Concourse B or Concourse C. This includes the United Club lounges, all gate areas, and the connecting walkways. Once you’re through the TSA checkpoint, you’re done until you exit.
Terminal 2 (Delta, United Domestic — Concourses E and F)
Terminal 2 is the smallest of the main terminals and handles Delta flights along with some United domestic routes.
Outdoor Smoking: Step outside the main entrance on either level. Designated smoking spots with receptacles are located along the curbside at both departures and arrivals. Terminal 2’s entrance is between Terminals 1 and 3, so it can feel a bit tucked away, but the smoking areas are clearly marked.
After Security: Nothing available on Concourse E or Concourse F. The Delta Sky Club and all gate areas are completely smoke-free.
Terminal 3 (American Airlines — Concourses G, H, K, L)
Terminal 3 is American Airlines’ hub and the largest terminal by concourse count, with four concourses.
Outdoor Smoking: Outdoor designated areas are at the terminal entrance, both upper and lower levels. American’s check-in area stretches a long way, so depending on which end you exit, the distance to the smoking area may vary. The areas near the center of the terminal entrance tend to have the most receptacles.
After Security: No smoking on any of the four concourses. Concourse L is the farthest from the terminal entrance, so if you’re departing from there and want to smoke, you’ll have the longest walk back. The Admirals Club lounges throughout Terminal 3 are all smoke-free.
Terminal 5 (International — Concourse M)
Terminal 5 handles most international arrivals and departures. It sits apart from the other terminals, connected by the ATS people mover on the landside.
Outdoor Smoking: Designated areas outside the Terminal 5 entrance on both levels. Since Terminal 5 is physically separate, the outdoor area here is quieter than the main terminal complex. Ash receptacles are placed near the curbside.
After Security: Concourse M has no smoking areas of any kind. International airline lounges and all gate areas are smoke-free. If you’re clearing customs after an international arrival, you can smoke outside after you exit the building.
Terminal-by-Terminal Summary
| Terminal | Airlines | Concourses | Indoor Smoking | Outdoor Smoking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | United | B, C | None | Designated areas at entrance, both levels |
| Terminal 2 | Delta, United | E, F | None | Designated areas at entrance, both levels |
| Terminal 3 | American | G, H, K, L | None | Designated areas at entrance, both levels |
| Terminal 5 | International carriers | M | None | Designated areas at entrance, both levels |
Re-Screening After Smoking
Every smoking area at O’Hare is outside security. If you leave to smoke during a layover, you’ll need to go through TSA screening again. Depending on the terminal and time of day, expect the round trip to take 30 to 60 minutes. Holiday weekends and Monday mornings are especially slow. TSA PreCheck and Clear lanes can cut the wait, but you should still plan for at least 30 minutes total.
Don’t attempt a smoke break unless you have at least 90 minutes before your flight boards.
Cannabis at O’Hare
Illinois legalized recreational cannabis, but that does not apply at O’Hare. The airport is on federal property, and federal law still classifies marijuana as a controlled substance. Cannabis use is banned everywhere at ORD, including the outdoor smoking areas, parking garages, and ride-share zones. This applies to all forms — smoking, vaping, and edibles. Airport police enforce this actively.
Tips for Smokers at ORD
Smoke before you go through security. There is literally nothing available on the other side.
If you’re connecting between Terminals 1, 2, or 3 and don’t need to leave security, the ATS people mover connects them airside. But since there’s no smoking airside, this doesn’t help smokers — you’d still need to exit a terminal to smoke.
Terminal 5 is isolated. If you’re transferring from an international flight to a domestic one, you’ll already be exiting security anyway. Take your smoke break outside Terminal 5 before heading to the ATS.
Nicotine gum, pouches, and patches are allowed inside the terminals. For short connections, these are your best bet.
The parking garage edges and economy lot shuttle stops also have ash receptacles if you’re arriving by car or picking someone up.
Chicago’s other airport, Midway (MDW), follows the same Illinois 25-foot rule with outdoor-only smoking at Doors 1 and 10. If you are connecting from O’Hare to Atlanta or Denver, expect the same outdoor-only setup at both airports.
Summary
| Location | Smoking Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 entrance (outside) | Yes, outdoor only | 15 feet from doors; both levels |
| Terminal 2 entrance (outside) | Yes, outdoor only | 15 feet from doors; both levels |
| Terminal 3 entrance (outside) | Yes, outdoor only | 15 feet from doors; both levels |
| Terminal 5 entrance (outside) | Yes, outdoor only | 15 feet from doors; both levels |
| Concourses B, C (Terminal 1) | No | Fully smoke-free past security |
| Concourses E, F (Terminal 2) | No | Fully smoke-free past security |
| Concourses G, H, K, L (Terminal 3) | No | Fully smoke-free past security |
| Concourse M (Terminal 5) | No | Fully smoke-free past security |
| Airline lounges (all terminals) | No | United Club, Admirals Club, Sky Club all smoke-free |
| Parking garages and lots | Outdoor edges only | Ash receptacles near shuttle stops |