Can You Smoke in JFK Airport?

This article was originally published on Airport ZZZ, a website dedicated to sleep pods and airport sleep solutions.

If you want to smoke any type of tobacco product at JFK airport, you will need to do so in designated smoking areas only that are about 20 feet away from JFK Terminal entrances and exits. You are not allowed to smoke indoors.

In this blog, I have explained whether you can smoke at JFK airport, the rules on smoking and directions to smoking areas at JFK.

Is smoking in airports legal?

The answer to this question is complicated. There are many factors that come into play when answering this question such as the country the airport is located in, state/province laws, and airport policies.

In general, smoking is not allowed inside airport terminals. This rule is in place because of the enclosed spaces and the high volume of people passing through airports. Secondhand smoke can be harmful to those who are exposed to it, and smoking in enclosed spaces can create an unpleasant environment for everyone.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Some airports have designated smoking areas where smokers are allowed to light up. These areas are usually located outside of the terminal building.

JFK Airport Smoking Rules

The Section M of the Airport Rules and Regulations issued by JFK’s airport manager – Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JFK’s smoking rules are as follows;

No person shall smoke or carry a lighted cigar, pipe, match…on any of the airport’s locations – terminals, ramps, cargo area, storage area, balcony, stairs, elevator…
No open flame on the airport indoors sections
You can smoke on designated areas of outdoor dining areas

Below are the snapshots showing the rules;

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have designated smoking areas at JFK airport. These areas are located outside of the terminal buildings.

Smokers must be at least 20 feet away from any entrance or exit to a terminal, and they must use the provided ashtrays. It is also important to note that e-cigarettes are not allowed in these smoking areas.

If you are caught smoking in a non-designated area, you may be subject to a fine.

Directions to JFK Smoking Areas

If you are looking for the closest smoking area to your terminal, here are some helpful tips:

Terminal 1: Exit the terminal onto Belt Parkway. The smoking area is located on the right side.
Terminal 2: Exit the terminal and turn left onto Van Wyck Expressway. The smoking area is located on the right side.
Terminal 4: Exit the terminal onto Grand Central Parkway. The smoking area is located on the left side.
Terminal 5: Exit the terminal and turn left onto JFK Expressway. The smoking area is located on the right side.
Terminal 8: Exit the terminal and turn right onto JFK Expressway. The smoking area is located on the left side.

JFK Airport Smoking Guidelines

In addition to the rules set by the Port Authority, there are some general guidelines that smokers should follow when using the designated smoking areas at JFK:

Be considerate of others and dispose of your cigarette butt properly
Do not leave the smoking area to smoke elsewhere
Do not loiter in the smoking area
Do not smoke near doorways, air vents or windows
Do not smoke while waiting in line for transportation

Following these guidelines will help to ensure that everyone can enjoy the designated smoking areas at JFK airport.

JFK Airport is located in New York, which has a statewide ban on smoking in all indoor public places, including airports. This means that you are not allowed to smoke inside JFK Airport terminal buildings.

However, there are designated smoking areas at JFK Airport where you are allowed to smoke. These areas are located outside of the terminal buildings.

If you are looking for a smoking area at JFK Airport, here are some helpful tips:

-Smoking areas are typically located near the exits of terminal buildings

-Look for signs that say “Smoking Area” or “No Smoking Beyond This Point”

-Ask a airport employee for directions to the nearest smoking area

Smoking area jfk airport terminal 4

At JFK’s terminal 4, you can find smoking designated areas just outside the exit of the terminal. There is no indoor smoking area at JFK’s terminal 4 at the Arrival and Departure level. Like in all other terminals, smoking is permitted 25 feet from terminal entrances as per JFKT4.com rules.

Smoking area jfk airport terminal 8

JFK’s terminal 8 also has smoking designated areas just outside the exit of the terminal. It is not permitted to light any cigarette lighter or to have any open flames at any of JFK’s terminals. There is no indoor smoking area at JFK’s terminal 8.

You can smoke your regular or electronic cigarette at a designated external room outside the entrance or exit of JFK’s terminal 8.

Smoking area jfk airport terminal 1

At JFK’s terminal 1, you can find smoking designated areas on both sides of the exit of the terminal. There is no indoor smoking area at JFK’s terminal 1.

Smoking is permitted 25 feet from all entrances of JFK’s terminal 1 on the East and West sides.

How JFK’s Smoking Policy is Compared to other Airports:

In a study on smoking policies by major US airports, New York JFK’s smoking policy was described as “Completely smokefree indoors and e-cigarette use is not permitted indoors. Designated smoking areas are located outside of terminals.”

See the snapshot below.

Below are some US Airports where smoking is permitted:

McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
Miami International Airport (MIA) – E-cigarette use is not permitted indoors. Smoking is permitted in an “open air” atrium, which has four walls and a roof with a gap at the roofline, that is attached to the airport’s TGI Fridays restaurant.
Nashville International Airport (BNA) – Smoking is permitted in two Graycliff Boutique & Lounge (with purchase) locations: on Concourse B near Gate B10 and on Concourse C near Gate C10.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Smoking rooms are located near gates B38, B75, C4 and D30.

I hope this blog has been helpful in explaining the smoking policy at JFK Airport. Remember, if you want to smoke at JFK, you must do so in designated smoking areas only. Follow the signs and ask airport staff for help if you need it. And most importantly, be considerate of those around you.

FAQs on JFK Airport Smoking

Q: Can you buy cigarettes at JFK airport?

A: Yes, you can buy cigarettes at JFK airport. There are several tobacco shops located throughout the airport, including one in each terminal. GO for duty-free options.

Q: Where can I find the smoking areas at JFK airport?

A: Smoking areas are typically located near the exits of terminal buildings. Look for signs that say “Smoking Area” or “No Smoking Beyond This Point”. You can also ask a airport employee for directions to the nearest smoking area.

Q: Can I smoke an electronic cigarette at JFK airport?

A: Yes, you can smoke electronic cigarettes at JFK airport. However, you must do so in designated smoking areas only. E-cigarette use is not permitted indoors.

Q: Is smoking allowed inside JFK airport terminals?

A: No, smoking is not allowed inside any of the airport terminals at JFK. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas that are located outside of the terminal buildings.

Q: Who owns JFK?

A: JFK is owned by the City of New York but is managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Q: is jfk airport open 24 hours

A: JFK airport is open 24 hours. However, some airport facilities and services are only available during specific hours. For example, the airport’s observation decks are only open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Q: Can you sleep in JFK airport?

A: Yes, you can sleep in JFK airport. There are several designated sleeping areas located throughout the airport, including in all of the terminals. These areas typically have comfortable seating, dim lighting, and quiet surroundings. You can also sleep in one of the airport’s sleep pods, and hotels if you need a more private and comfortable space. Here are some hotels close to JFK with their pricing.

Q: How far are designated smoking locations from JFK’s terminals?

A: All smoking areas at JFK airport are located 25 feet from the entrances of terminal buildings. It shouldn’t take you more than a minute from your Terminal to get to the smoke area.

Q: I’m flying out of JFK’s terminal 1. Where can I smoke?

A: There are designated smoking areas on both sides of the exit of terminal 1. However, there is no indoor smoking area at this terminal.

Q: I have a connecting flight at JFK. Can I smoke before my second flight?

A: Yes, you can smoke before your second flight as long as you have a valid boarding pass for that flight.

Q: What are the consequences for smoking in a non-designated area at JFK airport?

A: If you are caught smoking in a non-designated area at JFK airport, you may be subject to a fine of up to $250.

Q: What other rules do I need to follow when smoking at JFK airport?

A: In addition to only smoking in designated areas, you must also dispose of your cigarettes properly. Cigarette butt receptacles are located in all smoking areas. Please use them to dispose of your cigarettes. Do not throw cigarette butts on the ground or anywhere else.

Q: where is jfk airport in nyc?

A: JFK airport is located in New York City, in the borough of Queens. It is about 12 miles from Manhattan and about 19 miles from Brooklyn.

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