Is There a Smoking Area in Orlando Airport (MCO)?
Have you ever thought about where to find a spot to smoke at MCO? There’s one question that lots of people want answered: “Can I smoke indoors while traveling through MCO?” Since 2003, strict “no smoking” rules have banned any form of cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, nicotine vapors, etc. You cannot use them inside the actual terminal buildings and concourses of MCO. For those passengers traveling through the airport (with Copa Airlines or other), who require the Orlando Airport smoking area facility can be found outside the terminals. Smoking is allowed only in these designated smoking areas.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) No-Smoking Rules
MCO does not allow smoking indoors. Therefore, the following are important points related to the smoking rules:
- Indoor smoking is banned completely at MCO. Since July 2003, MCO has been a completely smoke-free facility.
- Items not allowed include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and any other tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and any form of vaping.
- All terminals, gates, concourses & lounges, restaurants & shops, & all enclosed indoor areas of the airport fall within the smoking prohibition.
- There are no designated areas, rooms, or lounges for smoking inside the airport.
- Smoking and vaping are allowed only in outdoor locations outside the airport.
- Violating the indoor no-smoking regulation may result in fines or penalties according to state law.
Designated Outdoor Smoking Areas At MCO
Orlando International Airport is prohibited from allowing indoor smoking. As such, the only place where smoking is permitted is in the allotted outdoor MCO smoking area outside each terminal.
| Terminal | Level |
| A, B, C | Level 1 (Arrivals / Ground Transportation) |
| A, B, C | Level 3 (Departures) |
| A & B | Level 2 |
| C | Level 6 |
Before vs. After Security at Orlando Airport
The regulations about smoking at the MCO will depend on whether you are before or after security checkpoints in the airport.
Before Security
There are selected smoking areas outside. These smoking areas are on Level 1 & Level 3 at the terminal buildings. They are also located between each terminal outside the terminal building. These smoking areas will include benches & ashtrays, & can get placed away from entrance doors. It allows you to smoke at the airport before your check-in.
After Security
After clearing security, there are absolutely no smoking areas anywhere within the secure area of the airport. There are no allotted smoking areas, rooms, decks, or lounges within the secure area. Every area of the secure zone, including concourses, gates, dining locations/ restaurants, & United Airlines lounges, is smoke-free. If you wish to smoke after clearing security, you would have to exit the secured area of the airport. Then you have to re-enter the secured area by going through TSA once again.
Penalties for Breaking Smoking Rules At MCO
Smoking and vaping at Orlando International Airport (MCO) is illegal under the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act. Violators are penalized based on how often they have been caught smoking/vaping, how far they have exceeded the punishment for the last violation, etc. The penalties include:
- A civil fine of up to $100 for the first violation, $200-$500 for repeat violations.
- Airport security or employees may ask you to leave, escort you outside, or have you removed from the airport’s property.
- You may also have civil or criminal law consequences based on state statutes.
- These regulations apply to all people. Passengers, visitors & employees must follow the restrictions on smoking/vaping within enclosed spaces. There are no exceptions to be made for anyone.
Smoking Tips at MCO
As a smoker traveling to Orlando Airport, here are some simple guidelines to follow to ensure your journey is hassle-free.
- The best way to prepare is to use the interactive map or look for signs upon arrival at the airport to easily locate the designated outdoor smoking areas. You will find these smoking areas located on the curbside levels of the airport at terminals A, B, and C. Each will have an ashtray and a bench.
- To avoid needing to smoke indoors, please do so only before going through security, as there are no designated areas available inside the terminal. If you would like to leave the secure area during your layover to smoke, you should add approximately 45 to 60 minutes after exiting to go through security.
- There are plenty of signs leading from within the airport to designated smoking areas. If you can’t locate the smoking area with the assistance of an airport employee, never risk smoking inside the terminals.
- For longer wait times inside the terminal, you may want to consider using nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges while you wait. You may also consider using deep breathing techniques or keeping yourself distracted by reading while trying to manage your cravings.
- Florida law prohibits all forms of smoking and vaping indoors. Smoking or vaping indoors will result in fines. You must stay within the allotted smoking area to avoid any problems at the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the entire airport follows non-smoking rules.
There are no smoking areas indoors in MCO Airport.
No, vaping and e-cigarettes are prohibited indoors in the same manner as smoking.
You will find them in level one & level three curbside outside of Terminals A, B or C. There are also signs & ashtrays indicating their location.
There are no smoking areas in the airside area. If you choose to smoke, you must exit the secure area to smoke and then re-clear TSA.
If you are caught smoking in an indoor area at MCO Airport, you will be in violation of Florida’s Clean Indoor Air Act. You will have to then pay penalties.
Use the interactive airport map, check the signs in the airport, or talk to airport staff.
