Yes, you can smoke at Tampa International Airport (TPA), and it is one of the rare US airports with smoking access after security. Each of the four airsides has its own outdoor smoking area: Airside A near Gate 18, Airside C near Gate 30, Airside E opposite Gate 62, and Airside F across from Gate 88. Landside, smoke outside on the Main Terminal’s Level 3 smoking patio or out any door on Levels 1 and 2.
How TPA Is Laid Out
TPA uses a hub-and-spoke design: a central Main Terminal connected to four airside satellite buildings (Airsides A, C, E, and F) by automated people-mover shuttles. Security screening happens at the entrance to each airside rather than in the Main Terminal, and each airside has its own outdoor smoking area. That layout is why TPA can offer post-security smoking when most US airports cannot, so you don’t have to ride the shuttle back, exit, smoke, and re-screen.
Airside A
Airside A has a designated outdoor smoking spot beside Gate 18. Head toward the gate and look for the marked area. It is past the TSA checkpoint, so you can use it once you have cleared security on this airside.
Airside C
On Airside C, the smoking area is near Gate 30. It was relocated here from a former spot near Gate 45, so older directions may point you to the wrong end of the concourse — follow current signage toward Gate 30.
Airside E
Airside E has a small outdoor smoking area in the back corner opposite Gate 62, next to the Four Green Fields pub. Note that a former smoking spot near Gate 75 has been converted to a service-animal relief area, so the Gate 62 location is the one to use.
Airside F
On Airside F, the outdoor smoking area is across from Gate 88, near a bar. It is the post-security option for international and other flights departing from this airside.
Main Terminal (Landside)
The Main Terminal itself is smoke-free indoors, but you can smoke outside before security. From the landside terminal, step out any exit door on Level 1 or Level 2, or use the dedicated smoking patio on Level 3. These areas work whether you are arriving and waiting for a ride on the Baggage Claim level or departing before you take the shuttle to your airside.
Summary Table
| Area | Smoking Area | Location | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airside A | Yes | Beside Gate 18 | After security |
| Airside C | Yes | Near Gate 30 | After security |
| Airside E | Yes | Back corner opposite Gate 62, by Four Green Fields | After security |
| Airside F | Yes | Across from Gate 88, near a bar | After security |
| Main Terminal | Yes | Level 3 patio; doors on Levels 1 and 2 | Before security (outdoor) |
Airside smoking spots at TPA occasionally move, so use the marked areas and airside signage as the final word.
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.