
Smoking is prohibited by law inside all UK airport terminals, including Gatwick Airport. However, designated smoking areas are provided outside the terminals for passengers who wish to smoke before passing through security. The South Terminal at Gatwick Airport features an outdoor terrace where smoking is permitted. E-cigarettes are also subject to the same restrictions and can only be used in designated areas outside the terminal buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking inside the terminal | Not allowed |
| Smoking after security | Not allowed |
| Smoking before security | Allowed in designated areas |
| Smoking areas | Outside the terminal buildings, near bus stops and departures |
| Smoking in lounges | Allowed in the My Lounge airport lounge at South Terminal |
| E-cigarettes | Allowed only in designated areas outside the terminal buildings |
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What You'll Learn

Gatwick's smoking areas are located outside the terminal buildings
Gatwick Airport has specific smoking areas and smoking zones located outside the terminal buildings. These zones are clearly marked and signposted, and passengers are advised to follow the signs or ask airport support staff for directions. It is important to note that smoking is prohibited inside the terminals, in accordance with UK law. Therefore, passengers who wish to smoke before their flight must utilise the designated outdoor smoking areas.
The smoking areas at Gatwick Airport are located outside near the bus stops and departures area. Both the North and South Terminals have smoking zones, with the South Terminal smoking area situated adjacent to a park within a few minutes' walk from the airport. The North Terminal smoking area is more conveniently located, allowing passengers to quickly reach their flights.
Passengers should be aware that the possession of smokable items, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums, may be banned at Gatwick Airport. Some sources indicate that even carrying these items through security could result in trouble with airport authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to smoke and dispose of cigarettes in the designated smoking areas before entering the terminal and proceeding through security.
In addition to the outdoor smoking areas, Gatwick Airport's My Lounge in the South Terminal also offers an outdoor terrace where smoking is permitted. This lounge provides passengers with a comfortable space to relax and smoke before their flight. However, smoking is not permitted in any other lounges within the airport.
It is worth noting that the regulations regarding smoking at Gatwick Airport have evolved over time. From 2007 to 2010, smokers relied on online comments to locate smoking areas. However, Gatwick Airport has since implemented stricter regulations, prohibiting smoking and the possession of smoking paraphernalia within the airport premises. These changes were made with public health and safety in mind, ensuring that smoking areas are kept away from crowded public areas.
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Smoking is banned inside the airport
Smoking is banned inside Gatwick Airport. In fact, all UK airports ban smoking (including e-cigarettes) inside terminals by law. However, Gatwick does provide designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings, which are clearly marked and well-signed. These zones are located near bus stops, with smoking bins, and there is also an outdoor terrace in the My Lounge at the South Terminal.
Passengers are advised to smoke before arriving at the airport, as even the possession of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums is prohibited once inside. Some airlines are very strict about this and will offload passengers found with smoking items.
It is worth noting that most UK airlines enforce a blanket ban on smoking and vaping on board their flights, so passengers will not be able to smoke again until they land at their destination.
Gatwick Airport implemented the 2007 amendments to the smoking regulation, which prohibited smoking in public places, and has been very proactive in countering the issue by creating designated smoking zones outside the airport.
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E-cigarettes are subject to the same rules as regular cigarettes
Gatwick Airport has specific smoking areas and smoking zones located outside the terminal buildings. These zones are clearly marked and signposted, and passengers are advised to look out for these signs or ask airport staff for directions. Both the North and South Terminals have designated smoking areas, with the South Terminal smoking area located near a park, a few minutes' walk from the airport, and the North Terminal smoking area being more conveniently located for passengers rushing to their flights.
It is important to note that smoking is prohibited inside the terminal buildings at Gatwick Airport. This includes both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. In fact, all UK airports ban smoking (including e-cigarette use) inside terminals by law. Therefore, e-cigarettes are subject to the same rules as regular cigarettes at Gatwick Airport. Passengers who wish to smoke or use e-cigarettes must do so in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings.
Some sources suggest that carrying e-cigarettes through security may not be advisable, as some airlines have strict policies regarding the possession of smoking items. There have been reports of passengers being offloaded from flights due to possessing smoking items, including e-cigarettes. However, it is important to note that this information may not be up-to-date, as one source from 2022 mentions that most UK airlines enforce a blanket ban on smoking and vaping on board their flights.
Passengers should be mindful of the airport's strict regulations regarding smoking and e-cigarette use. While Gatwick Airport prioritises the privacy of smokers by providing designated smoking areas, it is important to follow the rules and only smoke or use e-cigarettes in the designated areas outside the terminal.
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Gatwick's smoking areas are quarterly enclosed for privacy
Smoking is prohibited by law inside terminal buildings at all UK airports, including Gatwick. However, Gatwick Airport has designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings for passengers who wish to smoke before passing through security. These smoking areas are located near bus stops and departure entrances, and they are clearly marked.
Gatwick's smoking areas are quarterly enclosed, meaning they are designed to provide privacy for smokers. This setup keeps smoking activity away from public view while still allowing smokers to have a designated space to smoke before entering the terminal.
The South Terminal smoking area is located adjacent to a park, which is a short walk from the airport. The North Terminal smoking area is more convenient for passengers rushing to their flights, as it is closer to the terminal.
In addition to the outdoor smoking areas, Gatwick Airport also offers an indoor smoking option at the My Lounge airport lounge in the South Terminal. This lounge features an outdoor terrace where smoking is permitted, providing an alternative for smokers who prefer a more comfortable setting.
It is important to note that e-cigarettes are subject to the same restrictions as regular cigarettes at Gatwick Airport. They can only be used in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings. Carrying e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums through security may result in confiscation, and some airlines have strict policies regarding the possession of smoking items. Therefore, passengers are advised to be mindful of these regulations and plan their nicotine breaks accordingly.
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Smoking is permitted in the My Lounge airport lounge
Gatwick Airport has specific smoking areas and zones located outside the terminal buildings. These zones are clearly marked and often situated near bus stops or the airport parking. Both the North and South Terminals have designated smoking areas. However, it is important to note that smoking is prohibited inside the terminals, especially after passing through security.
If you are looking for a smoking area within the airport lounges, the My Lounge airport lounge in the South Terminal is the only lounge that permits smoking. This lounge features an outdoor terrace where passengers who wish to smoke can do so. The My Lounge entry includes complimentary snacks and hot options, as well as self-serve wine, beer, and cocktails. It is important to note that smoking is not permitted in any other lounge at Gatwick Airport.
Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes are subject to the same restrictions as smoking at Gatwick Airport. They are only allowed in the designated smoking areas outside the terminals and cannot be used inside after passing through security. Some sources suggest that carrying e-cigarettes through security may not be advisable, as some airlines have strict policies regarding the possession of smoking items.
It is worth noting that the regulations regarding smoking at Gatwick Airport have evolved over time. The airport implemented amendments to smoking regulations in 2007, prohibiting smoking in public areas. These changes were made with a focus on public health and have resulted in stricter policies regarding smoking within the airport premises.
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Frequently asked questions
No, smoking is banned inside the terminal buildings at Gatwick Airport.
Yes, there are designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings. These are clearly marked and can be found near bus stops and the departures entrance.
No, there are no smoking areas or facilities after security.
E-cigarettes are subject to the same restrictions as cigarettes and can only be used in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings.
































