Where can I smoke cigarettes and ‘vape’ e-cigarettes at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and all major UK airports? All the details here

Where can and can’t you have a last-minute cigarette or ‘vape’ before you fly from major UK airports?

Here’s all the information you need to plan your nicotine intake ahead of your flight with our guide to ‘after-security’ smoking rules and locations at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and all large UK airports.

Smoking at UK airports

Here’s your at-a-glance guide to smoking rules at UK airports

Airport	Smoking after security	Where
Aberdeen	Yes	Near Gate 5
Birmingham	No	N/A
Bournemouth	Yes	Follow signs, near Departure Gate
Bristol	Yes	Next to Gate 4
Cardiff	Yes	Airside in the departure lounge
Doncaster	Yes	First Floor, follow signs
Durham Tees	No	N/A
East Midlands	Yes	Follow signs, located at the Castle Rock Bar
Edinburgh	No	N/A
Exeter	No	N/A
Gatwick	No	N/A
Glasgow	No	N/A
Heathrow	No	Terminal 1,3,5- N/A Terminal 2- next to gate A1, A5 Terminal 4- follow corridor next to Burberry
Leeds Bradford	Yes	Follow signs in departures lounge
Liverpool	Yes	Lower level – follow signs
London City	No	N/A
Luton	No	N/A
Manchester Terminal 1	Yes	Clearly marked in departure lounge
Manchester Terminal 2	Yes	Clearly marked in departure lounge
Manchester Terminal 3	No	N/A
Newcastle Airport	No	N/a
Prestwick	No	N/A
Southampton	No	N/A
Southend	No	N/A
Stansted	No	N/A

Find out where you can smoke at the airport

After-security smoking rules at all major UK airports

All the in-depth details you need

Aberdeen Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Once airside, smokers should head to the designated smoking area located near Gate 5. Passengers will be charged £1 for the pleasure of using this facility.

E-cigarettes: Travellers using e-cigarettes will need to comply with the same rules and locations as those using traditional tobacco products.

Birmingham Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? No, Smoking is allowed only in the designated areas outside the front of the terminal. Once you enter the terminal, smoking is prohibited until you reach your destination.

What about e-cigarettes? Strictly prohibited.

Bournemouth Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Follow signs to the dedicated smoking area.

What about e-cigarettes? According to the airport website, the use of e-cigarettes is banned within the airport terminal.

Bristol Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Once through security, anyone wishing to light-up can head downstairs to the smoking area located next to Gate 4, to the right of Starbucks.

What about e-cigarettes? Users hoping to inhale on their e-cigarettes will have to follow the same rules as traditional smokers – and use the designated area at Gate 4.

Cardiff Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Smokers will need to hunt down the outdoor smoking area next to Gate 2. No smoking is allowed anywhere within the terminal buildings.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes is permitted in the official outdoor smoking area. This can be found next to Gate 2.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? A post-security smoking area is located in the Departures Lounge first floor.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes attracts the same restrictions as traditional tobacco products. Users must head to the smoking area as above.

Durham (Teesside International) Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? There’s a no-smoking policy within all terminal buildings. Smokers will need to satisfy pre-flight cravings in the smoking area outside the terminal.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes attracts the same restrictions as traditional tobacco products. Users must head to the smoking area outside the terminal, as above.

East Midlands Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Smokers will be pleased to hear there is an airside smoking area available to them. Follow signs once through security.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes is not allowed within any terminal building. Users must use the designated external smoking areas.

Edinburgh Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? A member of the airports customer service team confirmed over the phone that Edinburgh Airport does ‘not’ offer airside smoking areas.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes is not allowed within any terminal building.

Exeter Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Smoking is not permitted before or after security at Exeter Airport. Anyone needing a last blast of nicotine should use the designated shelter at the front of the terminal.

What about e-cigarettes? Users of electronic cigarettes will need to comply with the same rules listed above.

Gatwick Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? There are no smoking zones once you’ve passed through security. However, clearly marked zones are located outside both terminal buildings.

What about e-cigarettes? E-cigarettes have the same restrictions and can only be used in the designated areas outside the terminal buildings.

Glasgow Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? There are no smoking areas after security, so if you need a pre-flight puff you’ll need to head to the designated smoking areas outside the terminal building.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of electronic cigarettes is not permitted within the terminal building, you’ll have to use the designated smoking areas outside the main terminal.

Heathrow Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Once you pass through security you will not be able to smoke anywhere in the departure lounge, so be sure to use the designated areas outside the terminal building.

What about e-cigarettes? You won’t be able to use your e-cigarette in the terminal either and you’ll have to use the sign posted areas before security.

Leeds Bradford Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? For those after a pre-flight smoke, a dedicated smoking area is located on the ground floor, behind the sports bar – don’t forget the £1 access charge though!

What about e-cigarettes? Same rules apply for electronic cigarettes; if you want to smoke head to the designated areas.

Liverpool Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? There’s a dedicated area after security at Liverpool Airport, you’ll find it on the lower level just past the Kissing Gate Bar.

What about e-cigarettes? For electronic cigarette users, you’ll have to head to the dedicated smoking areas as well.

London City Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? Smoking is prohibited in the terminal building, both before and after security. Smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building.

What about e-cigarettes? Same rules apply for electronic cigarettes – see above.

Luton Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? There’s no smoking areas after security at Luton Airport, so smokers will need to have a last nicotine blast before heading into the terminal building – make sure you use the designated area.

What about e-cigarettes? Same rules apply for electronic cigarettes as well, use the dedicated areas before security.

Manchester Terminal 1:

Is smoking allowed after security? There is an outdoor smoking area near the food court in Terminal 1 for any smokers looking for a pre-flight smoke.

What about e-cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes cannot be used anywhere in inside the terminal building.

Manchester Terminal 2:

Is smoking allowed after security? If you want to smoke after security in Terminal 2, there’s an outdoor smoking area located near Gate 300.

What about e-cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes cannot be used anywhere in inside the terminal building.

Manchester Terminal 3:

Is smoking allowed after security? There is no airside smoking area at Terminal 3, so smokers will have to use the designated area outside the terminal landside.

What about e-cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes cannot be used anywhere in inside the terminal building.

Newcastle Airport

Is smoking allowed after security? Smoking is not allowed within the terminal building.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes is not allowed apart from in the designated smoking area.

Prestwick Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal building before or after passing through security. There are designated areas outside the terminals.

What about e-cigarettes? The use of e-cigarettes is not permitted within the airport’s terminal buildings.

Southampton Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? There is a smoking area outside the terminal building – on the central forecourt – however, passengers won’t be able to smoke once they’ve passed through security.

E-cigarettes: The use of e-cigarettes is not permitted within the airport’s terminal buildings or on the way to the aircraft.

Southend Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the airport’s terminal building – either before or after security. There is a designated smoking area outside the front of the terminal.

What about e-cigarettes? Once again, the same rules apply to those using e-cigarettes – no use permitted within the airport buildings.

Stansted Airport:

Is smoking allowed after security? Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. There are no designated smoking areas available after passengers have passed through security.

What about e-cigarettes? These devices cannot be used within the airport building.

Frequently Asked Questions about smoking in UK airports

Is smoking allowed inside UK airports?

No, smoking is not allowed inside UK airports, including electronic cigarettes.

Where can I smoke in a UK airport?

Designated smoking areas are available outside the airport terminal building. See above for more information about each airport.

Can I smoke during a flight?

No, smoking is not allowed on any commercial flight in the UK.

Is it legal to bring a pack of cigarettes in my carry-on luggage?

Yes, it is legal to bring a pack of cigarettes in carry-on luggage in the UK. However, there may be restrictions on the amount you can bring, depending on the country you are traveling to.

Can I bring my e-cigarette on a flight?

Yes, you can bring an e-cigarette in your carry-on or checked luggage. However, the use of e-cigarettes is not allowed on flights.

Can I buy cigarettes at the airport duty-free shop?

Yes, you can buy cigarettes at the airport duty-free shop if you are traveling outside the EU.

Is it legal to smoke in the airport car park?

It depends on the specific airport. Some airports have designated smoking areas in the car park, while others do not allow smoking in any part of the airport grounds.

Are there any penalties for smoking in a UK airport?

Yes, you may face fines or other penalties if caught smoking in a UK airport where it is not permitted.

Can I smoke in the airport lounge?

No, smoking is not allowed in airport lounges in the UK.

Is there a smoking area available for arrivals at the airport?

Yes, some UK airports have designated smoking areas for arrivals. It is best to check with the specific airport or check their website for information.