Yes, you can smoke at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) — designated smoking areas are located outdoors outside Terminals 1 and 2, marked with signs. The terminals are smoke-free indoors, so step outside to one of the designated areas.
Raleigh-Durham serves the Research Triangle region of North Carolina and operates from Terminals 1 and 2. RDU is a smoke-free airport, so all smoking happens at the outdoor designated areas rather than inside the buildings.
Where to Smoke
RDU’s official guidance is clear: the airport is smoke-free and smoking is prohibited in all public areas, including all restaurants and bars. Designated smoking locations are outside the terminals, marked with signs, and listed in both the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 directories.
There is no indoor or after-security smoking room or lounge. If you are airside and want to smoke, you will need to exit the terminal and clear security again to return, so plan around your departure time.
Vaping
Vaping is restricted to the same designated outdoor smoking areas as cigarettes. Indoor vaping is not permitted anywhere in the terminals.
Summary table
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor terminals | No | Smoke-free, including all restaurants and bars |
| After security (airside) | No | No indoor smoking room; exit and re-clear to return |
| Outdoor designated areas | Yes | Outside Terminals 1 and 2, marked with signs |
| Vaping | Designated outdoor areas only | Not permitted indoors |
For US airport smoking rules, state laws, vaping limits and fines, see our USA airport smoking guide.