Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the main gateway to Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island, and the rest of the Lee County coast. It is one of the busiest airports in Florida, handling over 11 million passengers a year, with particularly heavy traffic during snowbird season from November through April. Airlines at RSW include Southwest, Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and Sun Country. Smokers should be aware that RSW has a unique midfield terminal design that makes a smoke break more time-consuming than at most airports, since all smoking zones are outside the main terminal building and the gates are a people-mover ride away.
Smoking Policy at Southwest Florida Airport
Florida’s Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking inside all enclosed workplaces, which includes airports. RSW enforces this law throughout the main terminal, the people mover system, and all four midfield concourses. There are no indoor smoking rooms, cabins, or lounges anywhere in the facility. Florida law also requires smokers to stay at least 20 feet from building entrances.
Designated outdoor smoking zones are located outside the main terminal building on the curbside. These areas are marked with signage and ashtrays and positioned away from the entrance doors.
How Southwest Florida Airport Is Laid Out
RSW has a unique split design. The main terminal building handles ticketing, TSA security screening, and baggage claim. After clearing security, passengers take an automated people mover (SkyConnect) to the midfield concourses where the gates are located. The four concourses are B, C, D, and E, and they sit in the middle of the airfield, completely separate from the main terminal.
This design is important for smokers because the concourses have no outdoor access and no smoking areas. If you want to smoke, you must ride the people mover back to the main terminal and exit the building, then re-clear security and ride the people mover back to your gate when you are done. This adds significant time compared to airports where the gates are inside the main terminal building.
Concourse B
Smoking zones: None. No outdoor areas or smoking rooms in the concourse. After security: No smoking anywhere in Concourse B.
Concourse B is one of the four midfield concourses accessed via the people mover. Like all the concourses, it is completely enclosed with no outdoor access. If your flight departs from Concourse B and you need to smoke, you must take the people mover back to the main terminal.
Concourse C
Smoking zones: None. Entirely smoke-free. After security: No smoking areas.
Concourse C is similar in layout to Concourse B. The people mover ride back to the main terminal takes a few minutes, and then you will need to exit the building.
Concourse D
Smoking zones: None. No outdoor access from the concourse. After security: No smoking areas.
Concourse D handles additional domestic flights. Same story here: no smoking anywhere in the concourse, and you will need the people mover to get back to the main terminal.
Concourse E
Smoking zones: None. Completely smoke-free. After security: No smoking areas.
Concourse E rounds out the gate areas at RSW. Like the others, it is a sealed midfield building with no way to step outside or smoke.
Outside the Terminal
The designated outdoor smoking zones at RSW are on the curbside of the main terminal building. You will find them on both the upper departures level and the lower arrivals level. The lower level near baggage claim and ground transportation tends to be a bit less hectic and is a good choice for a smoke break.
Fort Myers has a subtropical climate, meaning it is hot and humid for much of the year with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through September. Winters are mild and dry, which is why so many snowbirds fly into RSW during peak season. The smoking areas are not covered, so summer storms and afternoon heat are something to be prepared for.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated identically to traditional smoking at RSW. They are banned indoors everywhere, including the main terminal, the people mover, and all concourses. You must use the outdoor designated smoking zones at the main terminal building. TSA allows e-cigarettes and vape devices in carry-on bags but prohibits them in checked luggage.
Tips for Smokers at Southwest Florida Airport
- The people mover adds significant time to a smoke break, so budget at least 40 to 50 minutes for the full round trip from the gates
- Smoke before entering the terminal if possible since it is the easiest and fastest option at RSW
- During snowbird season (November through April), security lines are longer and the people mover is more crowded
- The lower arrivals level curbside is usually less busy than the upper departures area
- Check your gate’s boarding time on the monitors before leaving the concourse so you know exactly how much time you have
- There are no shops selling lighters past security, so bring a disposable lighter from home
- If you have a long layover, a smoke break is doable but plan carefully around the people mover schedule
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Location Details |
|---|---|---|
| Main terminal (inside) | No | Entire building smoke-free |
| Concourses B, C, D, E | No | All midfield concourses are smoke-free |
| People mover / SkyConnect | No | No smoking on the shuttle system |
| Upper level curbside | Yes | Designated zones outside departures at main terminal |
| Lower level curbside | Yes | Designated zones near baggage claim at main terminal |
| Restaurants and lounges | No | All indoor dining is smoke-free |