John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Smoking Areas

New York City’s 2003 Smoke-Free Air Act prohibits smoking in enclosed public areas and workplaces, including restaurants, terminals, and bars of JFK Airport. It’s illegal to smoke, including electronic cigarettes, indoors. However, people are allowed to smoke only in designated areas located approximately 20 feet away from terminal entrances and exits.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Smoking Areas

This guide covers the location of the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) terminals, along with operating hours and specific usage instructions for these smoking areas.

John F. Kennedy Airport Smoking Rules and Penalties

Vaping is allowed only in assigned areas outdoors of John F. Kennedy Airport. It’s also necessary to remember that these smoking places do not permit or strictly prohibit e-cigarettes. If passengers are caught smoking outside of permitted smoking areas, they are subject to high penalties or other consequences.

These designated areas are carefully marked outside terminal buildings, ensuring smokers can smoke without annoying others.

This information will assist you in making informed decisions while going through JFK Airport. Regardless of whether you are a smoker seeking a designated smoking area or a non-smoker wishing to stay away from such areas, it helps you pass through the airport with ease.

Where Can You Locate JFK Smoking Areas?

Passengers are not allowed to smoke indoors at Kennedy Airport. Due to the enclosed areas and the large number of passengers using airports, tobacco products are strictly prohibited. Smoking in enclosed areas can make the atmosphere unpleasant for everyone, and indirect smoke can be dangerous to those who are exposed to it.

If you want to smoke cigarettes, you have to go to specified locations at the airport. However, smoking cigarettes is not allowed inside JFK’s Terminal 4 and aeronautical operations areas. This smoking-designated area for terminal smoking can be found outside the terminal building (arrival and departure level).

To locate the closest smoking area to your terminal, move 20 feet away from the entrances and exits of JFK Terminal. Look out for signs indicating “No Smoking Beyond This Point” or “Smoking Area.” Here are the locations of some authorized areas in JFK Airport. 

The smoking areas at John F. Kennedy International Airport are listed below.

TerminalLocation
Terminal 1Belt Parkway, right side
Terminal 2Van Wyck Expressway, right side
Terminal 4Grand Central Parkway, left side
Terminal 5JFK Expressway, right side
Terminal 8JFK Expressway, left side

JFK Airport Smoking Guidelines

In addition to the rules, there are general guidelines for using the designated smoking areas at JFK Airport. Some of these guidelines are given below:

  • Be cautious of other people and properly dispose of your cigarette butt.
  • Avoid hanging out in the smoking area.
  • Avoid smoking while you’re in the queue for transport.
  • Do not smoke near entrances and windows.

Implementing these guidelines will help you ensure everyone can enjoy the authorized smoking areas at JFK Airport.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Smoking Areas Map

The interactive map of permitted smoking locations at JFK Airport is given below. This map displays the name and location of the designated smoking areas outside the terminals.

With the help of this map, people can find the location and exact distance of the allowed smoking areas in the airport:

I hope this guide helped you understand JFK Airport’s smoking policy. Remember that you can only smoke in the approved smoking locations outside the terminals at JFK. Follow all smoking rules and help JFK Airport authorities maintain a smoke-free environment for everyone. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask airport employees for it, and heed the signage.

FAQs

Is smoking allowed at JFK Airport?

JFK Airport is a non-smoking facility. However, designated smoking areas are outside the terminals, 25 feet from the entrances.

Where can I find the smoking areas at JFK Airport?

Smoking areas can be found near the entrance or exit of terminal buildings at JFK Airport. You can simply ask an airport employee for directions to find the closest smoking place.

Is e-cigarette allowed at JFK Airport after security?

No, e-cigarettes are not allowed at JFK Airport after security. It is illegal to smoke cigarettes inside, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

Is there a smoking area in JFK Terminal 4?

Smoking is strictly banned in JFK Terminal 4 and aeronautical operations areas. It is only permitted in arrival and departure level approved areas at Terminal 4.

Does JFK Airport have a smoking lounge?

No, JFK Airport does not have a smoking lounge inside terminals. Smoking is limited to specific places outside Terminal 4 (Arrival and Departure levels).

How far are the authorized smoking areas from JFK’s terminals?

All smoking spot is situated 25 feet away from the terminal building entrances at JFK. Reaching the smoking area from your terminal shouldn’t take more than a minute.

Is there a smoking area in JFK Terminal 8?

No, there is no smoking area inside the JFK Terminal 8. However, a granted smoking area is available outside Terminal 8 at JFK Airport.

What happens if someone smokes or vapes in non-designated areas of JFK Airport?

If someone is found smoking in non-designated areas of JFK Airport, it can result in a fine of up to $250.

Can I find the smoking area in JFK Terminal 5 and Terminal 1?

Smoking is strictly banned inside terminals, but you can smoke in assigned smoking areas outside the terminal at JFK Airport.