Smoking at New York John F Kennedy International Airport – JFK – 2026

Q: "Can I smoke inside JFK Airport?"

"No, smoking is completely prohibited inside all JFK Airport terminals. New York City's Smoke-Free Air Act bans smoking in all enclosed public areas. You can only smoke in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings."

Q: "Are there smoking areas after security at JFK?"

"No, there are no smoking facilities past security at JFK. To smoke, you must exit the secure area, use the outdoor designated smoking zones, and then go through TSA security again to return to your gate."

Q: "Where are the smoking areas at JFK Terminal 4?"

"Designated smoking areas at Terminal 4 are located outside on the Arrival level and Departure level, curbside. You must be at least 25 feet from the terminal entrance."

Q: "Can I vape at JFK Airport?"

"E-cigarettes and vapes are banned inside all JFK terminals. Vaping is only permitted in the designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminals, following the same rules as traditional cigarettes."

Need to smoke at JFK Airport in New York? Unlike some international airports, JFK has strict no-smoking policies indoors - but there are designated outdoor smoking areas available. Here’s your complete guide to smoking at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

JFK Airport Smoking Policy

There are no indoor smoking areas at JFK Airport. New York City’s 2003 Smoke-Free Air Act prohibits smoking in all enclosed public areas, including terminals, restaurants, and bars. This applies to both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes/vapes.

Designated Outdoor Smoking Areas

JFK has designated outdoor smoking zones outside the terminals. These areas are located at least 20-25 feet away from terminal entrances and exits. There are six designated smoking areas across the airport:

Terminal 4: Levels 1 and 3, curbside near arrivals and departures
Terminal 5: Levels 1 and 3, outside the terminal
Terminal 8: Levels 1 and 3, curbside areas

All outdoor smoking areas are accessible 24/7 and are located close to the curbside pickup zones.

Important: No Smoking After Security

There are absolutely no smoking facilities inside the terminals or past TSA security checkpoints. If you need to smoke during a layover or while waiting for your flight, you must:

Exit the secure area completely
Leave the terminal building
Use the designated outdoor smoking area
Re-enter and go through TSA security screening again

This process can take 30-60 minutes depending on security wait times, so plan accordingly.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping

E-cigarettes and vapes are banned inside all JFK terminals and can only be used outdoors in the designated smoking areas. The same rules apply as for traditional cigarettes.

Penalties for Violations

If caught smoking in non-designated areas at JFK, you may face fines between $50 and $250 and be asked to leave the area immediately. Security takes these violations seriously.

Tips for Smokers at JFK

Smoke before entering the terminal if possible - re-clearing security takes significant time
Stay at least 25 feet from terminal entrances when smoking
International connecting passengers must clear customs before accessing outdoor smoking areas
The AirTrain can help you move between terminals if needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke inside JFK Airport?

No, smoking is completely prohibited inside all JFK Airport terminals. New York City’s Smoke-Free Air Act bans smoking in all enclosed public areas. You can only smoke in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings.

Are there smoking areas after security at JFK?

No, there are no smoking facilities past security at JFK. To smoke, you must exit the secure area, use the outdoor designated smoking zones, and then go through TSA security again to return to your gate.

Where are the smoking areas at JFK Terminal 4?

Designated smoking areas at Terminal 4 are located outside on the Arrival level and Departure level, curbside. You must be at least 25 feet from the terminal entrance.

Can I vape at JFK Airport?

E-cigarettes and vapes are banned inside all JFK terminals. Vaping is only permitted in the designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminals, following the same rules as traditional cigarettes.

Last updated: January 12, 2026