Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is the gateway to northern Nevada’s casino district and the Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Whether you are heading to the slopes, the tables, or the great basin desert, RNO is a compact and efficient airport that handles around 4.5 million passengers a year. Airlines serving RNO include Southwest, Alaska, United, American, Delta, JetBlue, and seasonal carriers. If you are a smoker, you might assume that Nevada’s gambling-friendly reputation extends to airport smoking lounges like those at Las Vegas. Unfortunately, it does not. Reno-Tahoe Airport is smoke-free indoors, and all smoking must happen outside.
Smoking Policy at Reno-Tahoe Airport
Nevada’s Clean Indoor Air Act, passed in 2006, bans smoking in most public indoor spaces. While the law carved out exemptions for stand-alone bars and casino gaming floors, airports are not among those exemptions. Reno-Tahoe Airport enforces a complete indoor smoking ban throughout the terminal, including all gate areas, restaurants, shops, and lounges.
Designated outdoor smoking zones are available on the curbside outside the terminal building. These areas are marked with signage and ashtrays. The airport is relatively small, so getting outside from most areas of the terminal is quick and straightforward.
How Reno-Tahoe Airport Is Laid Out
RNO has a single terminal building with two concourses: Concourse B and Concourse C. Both concourses connect to the same central terminal area, which houses ticketing, the TSA security checkpoint, and baggage claim. The terminal has an upper level for departures and a lower level for arrivals and ground transportation.
The compact layout is a genuine advantage for smokers. RNO is not a sprawling mega-hub, so the walk from even the farthest gates back to the terminal exit is relatively short.
Concourse B
Smoking zones: None inside. Exit the terminal to the curbside for outdoor designated zones. After security: No smoking areas past the TSA checkpoint.
Concourse B handles several major carriers and is the busier of the two concourses. The walk from the Concourse B gates back to the main terminal exit takes about 5 to 8 minutes at a normal pace. During ski season, the concourse can get crowded with travelers hauling gear, so allow a bit of extra time.
Concourse C
Smoking zones: None inside. Exit to the outdoor curbside areas. After security: No smoking areas.
Concourse C is similar in size to Concourse B and serves additional domestic routes. The walk back to the terminal exit is comparable. Both concourses feed into the same central area, so you will end up at the same exits regardless of which concourse your flight departs from.
Outside the Terminal
The outdoor smoking zones at RNO are on the curbside outside the terminal. You will find areas on both the upper departures level and the lower arrivals level. The lower level near baggage claim and ground transportation is often less congested and a good choice for a quieter smoke break.
Reno sits at about 4,500 feet elevation in the high desert, which means the climate is dry with significant temperature swings. Summers are hot and sunny, which makes outdoor smoking perfectly comfortable. Winters, however, can be cold and snowy, with temperatures dropping below freezing. The smoking areas are not covered or sheltered, so bundling up is essential during the colder months.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated the same as traditional smoking at Reno-Tahoe Airport. They are not permitted indoors anywhere in the terminal and must be used in the outdoor designated smoking zones. This is consistent with Nevada’s inclusion of e-cigarettes in the Clean Indoor Air Act. TSA allows vape devices in carry-on luggage but not in checked bags.
Tips for Smokers at Reno-Tahoe Airport
- Do not assume Nevada’s casino smoking rules apply at the airport because they do not
- RNO is compact, so the walk from gates to the exit is only 5 to 10 minutes
- TSA lines at RNO are typically shorter than at major hubs, so re-clearing security after a smoke break usually takes 10 to 15 minutes
- Budget about 25 to 35 minutes total for the exit-smoke-return cycle
- During ski season (December through March), the airport is busiest on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings
- The lower arrivals level curbside is usually less crowded than the upper departures area
- If you are connecting to Lake Tahoe, there are no indoor smoking options at the airport, so have your last cigarette before boarding your shuttle
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Location Details |
|---|---|---|
| Inside terminal | No | Entire building smoke-free |
| Concourse B | No | No smoking past security |
| Concourse C | No | No smoking past security |
| Upper level curbside | Yes | Designated zones outside departures |
| Lower level curbside | Yes | Designated zones outside arrivals |
| Restaurants and lounges | No | All indoor areas smoke-free |