Can you smoke at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport?

Yes, in limited places. Smoking at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is only allowed in the designated smoking areas listed on this page, so follow the airport signs.

Is there a smoking area after security at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport?

No. All smoking areas at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport are before security.

Can you leave the terminal and re-enter at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport?

No, re-entry after exiting is not possible.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport Smoking Areas

1 Smoking areas at Roanoke, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

Before security: 1
After security: 0

Connecting flight? All smoking areas are before security, and transit passengers may not be allowed to leave the secure area.

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Main Terminal

Outdoor Smoking Area near Door 5

Outdoor AreaPublic Area

A small grass area outside the end of the terminal lobby near Door 5, landside. The airpor...

Smoking policy at Roanoke, Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

Before Security

Yes

After Security

No

Vaping

Unknown

Warnings & Caveats

Violations of the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act carry a civil penalty of $25.00. Smoking must occur at least 10 feet from any entrance door. No re-entry to the secure area is possible after exiting to smoke without clearing TSA again.

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is a smoke-free terminal, meaning you cannot smoke anywhere inside the building, either before or after security. Your only option is to step outside to designated outdoor areas near the terminal entrances before you go through the TSA checkpoint.

Before Security

Smoking is permitted outside the terminal building in designated areas. Based on the airport's FAQ, a small grass area with amenities is located outside Door 5 at the end of the terminal lobby (this is the same area used as a pet relief area, with Mutt Mitts and trashcans). Ashtrays are provided outside the entrances. You must stay at least 10 feet from any entrance door, in line with Virginia's Indoor Clean Air Act requirements.

Head to the outdoor area near Door 5 at the far end of the terminal lobby for the most open outdoor space.
Any exterior entrance with a designated ashtray is also a valid spot, provided you stay 10 feet or more from the doors.

After Security

There are no smoking facilities airside at ROA. Once you pass through the TSA checkpoint, there is no way to smoke without exiting the secure area entirely. ROA is a small single-terminal airport with no paid lounges offering smoking rooms or terraces, so there is no workaround for airside smokers.

Connecting Flights and Re-entry

If you have a connecting flight through ROA and need to smoke, you will have to exit the terminal, smoke outside, and then re-enter and clear security again. Given that ROA is a domestic-only airport, this is technically possible, but factor in TSA wait times before doing so, especially during peak morning departures (the checkpoint opens around 4:15 a.m.).

Vaping Rules

The sources do not specifically address vaping or e-cigarettes at ROA. Virginia's Indoor Clean Air Act governs the terminal, and it is safest to treat vaping the same as smoking: outside only, at least 10 feet from any entrance.

Bottom Line

Smoke before you go through security, outside the terminal near Door 5 or any designated entrance ashtray. Once airside, there are no options at all.

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Main Terminal smoking areas (before security only)

Outdoor Smoking Area near Door 5 · Public Area · Outdoor Area
From the main terminal lobby, walk toward the far end (Door 5). Exit through the door and the designated outdoor area is immediately outside on the grass.