Flying with Iberia Airlines (or other airlines) and need a smoke break at George Bush Intercontinental Airport? You’re not alone! Many other customers have also requested places to smoke at IAH during their long layovers or waiting periods. Houston has smoke-free rules that ban smoking in the terminals of IAH. You won’t find any Houston IAH Airport smoking lounge, smoking areas, designated sections, etc. If you are traveling with an e-cigarette, you may want to be sure to check the local ordinance before arriving at IAH. There are smoking areas located outside of all IAH terminals, Level 1 or Level 2. They are directly neighboring the pick-up area for taxis, hotel shuttles, or private car service. You can step outside, locate the designated smoking area, & enjoy your cigarette or e-cigarette. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get there and back through security.
George Bush Airport’s Smoking Guidelines
IAH will not allow the use of tobacco products indoors, including cigars, e-cigs, vaporizers, etc. It will also not permit the possession of any tobacco products in any manner. There are areas to smoke outside IAH, at least twenty-five feet from the nearest exit door.
- No indoor smoking or vaping is allowed in the airport. It includes lounges, designated areas, & other similar places within the airport.
- Find all designated smoking areas located outside each terminal on levels one & two.
- Smoking areas will be located near ground transportation stops.
- If you wish to smoke after you have passed through security, you will have to leave the secure area, go to a specified area outside, & clear security again to return.
- All tobacco, electronic cigarettes, & vaping products got banned from being used inside the airport.
IAH Outdoor Smoking Areas
Designated outdoor smoking areas exist for everyone. It is located at least 25 feet away from the exit doors and cleans the air while following Houston’s smoke-free laws. A reminder that leaving the secure area requires re-entering through security, so plan for a few extra minutes.
| Terminal | Level | Location Details |
| Terminal A | Level 1 | North side, outside Door A-113 |
| Terminal A | Level 2 | East side, both north and south of the entrance |
| Terminal B | Level 1 | South side, near taxi pick-up point |
| Terminal B | Level 2 | East side, both north and south of the entrance |
| Terminal C | Level 1 | South side, outside Door C-105 |
| Terminal C | Level 2 | East side, both north and south of the entrance |
| Terminal D | Level 1 | West and east of the terminal entrance |
| Terminal E | Level 1 / Level 2 | Outside the terminal entrances |
Indoor Smoking Lounges or Sections at IAH
Indoor smoking lounge Houston Bush Airport, sections, or designated smoking areas are not available anywhere within George Bush Airport.
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vapes (generally), is prohibited indoors except in enclosed or ventilated rooms.
- Smokers must go outdoors & smoke in allotted areas at least 25 feet away from exit doors.
- Be it any airline flying from IAH, like Icelandair Airlines, etc., cannot smoke indoors.
- The goal of their rule is to keep the air clean for all airport patrons and employees.
- Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts when it comes to smoking. Smokers will have to take an extra trip outdoors to get their fix!
How to Access Smoking Areas Easily?
If you want to smoke inside one of the allotted outdoor areas in George Bush, it can get done easily by following these tips:
- Since IAH is completely smoke-free inside, you must go outside to smoke & be at least 25 feet from any exit door.
- Go to your nearest exit to get to one of the outdoor smoking areas.
- Allow an extra 10-20 minutes round-trip, plus time to re-enter security. It takes quite some time to get through the lines at security, based on the time of day.
- Look for signs marking “Smoking Area”, use designated areas only, & then return quickly to the terminal, lest you miss your flight.
Alternatives to Smoking at George Bush Intercontinental
If you need to control your nicotine craving without smoking a cigarette, check out these methods to keep yourself comfortable while waiting for your flight:
- Leave the terminal to go to an outdoor smoking area.
- Use a nicotine replacement product inside the airport. You can chew gum, wear a nicotine patch or lozenge, or use a nicotine inhaler inside the terminal.
- Try a nicotine pouch. These are pouches that don’t contain tobacco, like Zyn. You place one under your lip, and it continues to release nicotine at a steady rate.
- Relax in a smoking lounge at Houston Airport or a spa. You can reserve access to paid lounges & spas for a peaceful space where you can relax.
- Walk around the airport, eat or drink, browse the shops & use the free Wi-Fi to watch a video. It will help reduce your cravings for nicotine while you wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, city rules prohibit smoking inside the city of Houston facilities, & therefore all Terminals within IAH are non-smoking areas.
You will only get permission to smoke outside the IAH terminal building.
There are no designated smoking lounges, smoking sections, or enclosed smoking areas at IAH.
Yes, because both vaping products and e-cigarette products also got included under the smoke-free law.
You will find the smoking point at the outdoor designated smoking area for each terminal. That area will get clearly marked as the designated area to smoke.