CHARLESTON, South Carolina — In an effort to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the traveling public, Charleston International Airport will be smoke-free as of September 1, 2021. This ban includes all enclosed public spaces, outside of the terminal, shuttles, sidewalks, rest areas, as well as public and employee parking lots, and other Airport Authority-owned buildings and facilities.
The ban will include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, puff bars, and any device that smoke or vapor that may be harmful to travelers. A previous CDC study documented that secondhand smoke travels from designated smoking areas into nonsmoking areas in airports, where nonsmoking travelers and employees can be exposed.
“Our mission is to make the airport campus a safe and healthy environment for travelers, guests, and workers,” said Elliott Summey, CEO of Charleston International Airport. “The health risks associated with secondhand smoke are irrefutable. Creating a smoke-free environment at CHS will help us achieve this goal.”
Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department will begin enforcing the ban and individuals who do not comply are subject to fines. Public announcements will begin immediately through social media, signage, and media outreach. Terminal announcements will be recorded related to no smoking and pre-set to play at regular intervals.