The World’s Busiest Airport Goes Smoke-Free

The world’s busiest airport is making a dramatic change sure to affect thousands of customers.

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which has been the world’s most-trafficked airport in terms of passengers since 2000, went smoke-free starting Thursday, Jan. 2.

“In an effort to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public the City of Atlanta has passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking and vaping inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ref. no, 19-O-1205),” the city of Atlanta said in a statement. “In accordance with this smoking ban, all smoking rooms inside the airport will close on January 2, 2020.”

Many U.S. citizens who are accustomed to smoking bans in public buildings and parks, as well as restaurants, will likely not have too much to say. However, foreign travelers who are used to smoking in their home countries and home airports might find the ruling difficult to comply with.

To that end, the airport said in a statement it will launch a 30-day accommodation package and give out complimentary lozenges to passengers with limited access to the exterior smoking zones. To receive the complimentary lozenges, visit concessions locations in Terminals A, B, C, D, E and F.

ATL has designated smoking areas (smoking zones) outside of the domestic and international terminals. These designated smoking zones are located at least 25 feet from the Terminal entrance. Persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from smoking in designated smoking zones.

The airport defines smoking as “inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying a lighted tobacco product including cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. Vapor products are defined as any noncombustible product containing nicotine that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size that can be used to produce vapor from nicotine in a solution or other form. It includes any electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and any vapor cartridge or other container of nicotine in a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in an electronic device.”

Persons who violate the ordinance are subject to a civil penalty up to a $200 fine.