Yes, you can smoke at San Francisco International (SFO) — at the designated outdoor areas in front of every terminal (Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal), with posted signage and standing ashtrays set back from the entrance doors on the departures and arrivals levels. These areas are landside, before the security checkpoint, so smoking during a layover means exiting the secure area and re-clearing TSA. Indoors, SFO is smoke-free throughout, a major United hub where all terminals, gate areas, lounges, and the AirTrain are covered by California law.
Got a US connection ahead? Check where to smoke during a Denver layover or smoking at Chicago O’Hare Airport.
Smoking Policy at SFO
Outdoor smoking is permitted in the designated areas outside each terminal, set back at least 20 feet from the entrances as California law requires, and those areas are available around the clock. California law prohibits smoking inside all public buildings, and SFO enforces this strictly: smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes are covered by the same indoor rules everywhere in the airport, including all terminals, gate areas, airline lounges, restrooms, restaurants, and the AirTrain stations.
How SFO Is Laid Out
SFO has four terminals arranged in a half-loop around a central roadway. Starting from the south end: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the Dianne Feinstein International Terminal — the building long known simply as the International Terminal, or ITB, and still signed for its two boarding areas, A and G. The free AirTrain monorail connects all terminals, the parking garages, the BART station, and the rental car center. A full loop takes about 15 minutes. If you need to smoke at a specific terminal’s outdoor area and your gate is elsewhere, the AirTrain is the easiest way to get around; keep in mind you would need to exit security first regardless.
Harvey Milk Terminal 1
Terminal 1, named for Harvey Milk, is the airport’s largest domestic terminal and now handles Alaska, Hawaiian, American, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant, Porter and Sun Country from a single concourse, Boarding Area B.
Smoking areas: Outdoor designated areas are on the curbside at both Departures Level 2 (ticketing) and Arrivals Level 1 (baggage claim). Look for the posted signage and standing ashtrays, set back from the entrance doors. The Arrivals Level 1 area tends to be slightly less crowded since most foot traffic flows through the upper departures level.
After security: None. There are no smoking areas past the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 1.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 sits between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 and is the home of Southwest, Air Canada, WestJet and Breeze, plus a share of United’s domestic flying. It was renovated and reopened in 2011 with a modern, open layout. Boarding Area D is the gate area here.
Smoking areas: Outdoor designated areas are on the curbside at Departures Level 2, at both the north and south ends of the terminal. Both spots have ashtrays and signage. Terminal 2 can feel long, so pick whichever end is closer to where you were dropped off or parked.
After security: None. No smoking areas exist past the TSA checkpoint in Terminal 2.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is United Airlines’ primary hub terminal at SFO, with Boarding Areas E and F handling the bulk of its domestic flying. It is one of the busiest terminals at the airport, and parts of it are under renovation.
Smoking areas: Outdoor designated areas are on the curbside at Departures Level 2 and on the Arrivals Level 1 near baggage claim. There is also a well-known smoking spot outside near Door 7 on the arrival level, which has a small seating area and ashtrays. Door 7 is a good option if you have just landed and are waiting for a ride, as it sits slightly away from the main traffic flow.
After security: None. No smoking facilities exist past security in Terminal 3.
Dianne Feinstein International Terminal (ITB)
The International Terminal handles the airport’s international departures and arrivals — Emirates, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and dozens more — plus United’s international flying. It has Boarding Areas A and G, connected by a long hallway on the airside. The terminal building itself has three levels: Arrivals (Level 1), a connector level, and Departures (Level 3).
Smoking areas: The International Terminal has the most outdoor smoking options at SFO:
- Departures Level 3 near Door 1 (south end) and Door 16 (north end). Both have standing ashtrays and are set back from the entrance.
- Arrivals Level 1 near Door 1 and Door 2. These work well right after clearing customs and collecting your bags.
- Door 5 area (international arrivals side) has a sitting area with a pole-mounted ashtray tray. This is one of the more comfortable spots, with a bench where you can sit and smoke before heading to ground transportation.
- Door 13 area (domestic side of the International Terminal) is a smaller sitting area with a pole-tray ashtray. It is less busy than the Door 5 side.
After security: None. Once you clear security or passport control in the International Terminal, there is no way to smoke until you exit the building entirely.
Smoking During a Layover
This is the most important point for smokers at SFO: every smoking area is landside, in front of the terminals. If you have already cleared security and want a cigarette, exit the secure area completely, use one of the outdoor areas described above, and then go through TSA screening again. During peak hours, this round trip can easily take 30 to 45 minutes, so on a tight connection it is worth waiting for the next chance.
For passengers connecting between domestic and international flights, the airside connector between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal means you do not need to re-clear security for that specific connection; there are no smoking areas anywhere on that airside path.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
E-cigarettes, vape pens, and all electronic nicotine delivery devices are welcome in the same outdoor designated smoking areas as cigarettes at SFO. Indoors they are treated exactly the same as traditional tobacco — in all terminals, gate areas, restaurants, lounges, and on the AirTrain — under California’s smoke-free public buildings law and San Francisco’s own vaping ordinance.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Location Details |
|---|---|---|
| Harvey Milk Terminal 1 | Outdoor only | Curbside at Departures Level 2 and Arrivals Level 1 |
| Terminal 2 | Outdoor only | Curbside at both ends of Departures Level 2 |
| Terminal 3 | Outdoor only | Curbside at Departures Level 2, Arrivals Level 1, and near Door 7 |
| Dianne Feinstein International Terminal | Outdoor only | Departures Level 3 (Doors 1, 16), Arrivals Level 1 (Doors 1, 2), sitting areas at Doors 5 and 13 |
| After Security (all terminals) | None | Must exit secure area and re-clear TSA |
| E-Cigarettes / Vaping | Outdoor only | Same rules as traditional cigarettes |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.