Lois Larson
Belfast International Airport previously had a smoking gallery in the departure area, but it was closed in 2025 due to persistent vandalism. The airport now has designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building, which are free of charge. However, passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security must pay a £1 fee to access the smoking area. This fee is to recoup the cost of building and maintaining a specialist facility for a relatively small number of users. Belfast City Airport does not have any smoking facilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking allowed | No |
| Smoking area | No |
| Smoking fee | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- Belfast International Airport closes its airside smoking gallery
- Designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building are free
- A charge for passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security
- No smoking while outdoors approaching or leaving the aircraft
- No smoking facilities available at Belfast City Airport
Belfast International Airport closes its airside smoking gallery
Smoking in public places, including airports, has been prohibited for several years. Belfast International Airport was the last airport in Northern Ireland to have a smoking area within its terminal. A smoking gallery was located in the airport's departure area. However, in January 2025, Belfast International Airport made the decision to close its airside smoking gallery due to persistent vandalism.
Prior to the closure, the airport had a designated smoking area located before the security checkpoint, which was free of charge. However, passengers who wished to smoke after passing through security had to pay a £1 fee to access the airside smoking gallery. This fee was implemented to recoup the costs of building and maintaining a specialist facility for a relatively small number of users.
The closure of the smoking gallery has sparked mixed reactions. Some people agree with the decision, arguing that it discourages people from smoking and that travellers could smoke in other areas of the airport or outside. On the other hand, others argue that the closure will be challenging for smokers travelling for long periods, and they may feel agitated having to wait for their flight without being able to smoke.
It is recommended that those who struggle without access to a smoking area consider using nicotine replacement products such as gum or lozenges. While Belfast International Airport no longer provides a smoking area within its terminal, travellers who wish to smoke can still do so in the designated smoking areas located before the terminal building free of charge.
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Designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building are free
Belfast International Airport has a strict no-smoking policy. However, designated smoking areas are provided at the airport to cater to the demands of smoking passengers. These designated smoking areas are located at the front of the terminal building and are free to use. Passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security will have to pay a fee to access the smoking area.
The smoking gallery at Belfast International Airport, located in the departure area, was closed in 2025 due to persistent vandalism. This closure left smokers with limited options, as there are no smoking facilities available at Belfast City Airport or City of Derry Airport. The closure of the smoking gallery at Belfast International Airport has been a controversial topic, with some people expressing concern about the lack of alternative smoking areas and the potential agitation of smokers travelling for long periods.
Belfast International Airport introduced a charge for passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security. The designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building remain free of charge, but a £1 fee is required for access to the smoking area near the departure gates. The airport spokesperson justified the fee by explaining the high cost of building and maintaining a specialist facility for a relatively small number of users.
Passengers who intend to smoke at Belfast International Airport should be aware of the designated smoking areas and the associated fees. While the airport aims to accommodate smokers, it is important to respect the no-smoking policy in non-designated areas to avoid any issues. It is recommended to arrive early and plan accordingly, especially if you wish to utilise the smoking facilities after passing through security.
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A charge for passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security
Belfast International Airport has implemented a smoking fee for passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security. The designated smoking areas located in front of the terminal building are accessible free of charge. However, passengers who desire a last-minute smoke before their flight will need to pay a fee. The fee has been set at £1, and it is intended to help offset the costs of constructing and maintaining the smoking area. This decision comes as a response to the demand for smoking facilities from customers, given that airports are now non-smoking areas.
While some passengers may view this charge as a minor inconvenience, others may feel that it is a reasonable measure to discourage smoking. It is worth noting that Belfast International Airport was the last airport in Northern Ireland to offer a smoking area within the terminal, and other airports in the country, such as Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport, do not provide any smoking facilities.
The introduction of this smoking fee has sparked mixed reactions among travellers. Some people believe that airports should provide alternative smoking areas to accommodate travellers who smoke. They argue that charging a fee to use a ropey balcony with half a roof seems excessive. Additionally, they suggest that the fee could be waived if passengers could produce their own nicotine replacement products, such as gum or lozenges.
On the other hand, there are travellers who support the closure of smoking areas altogether. They argue that the availability of designated smoking areas might encourage people to start smoking and that travellers who smoke can manage without a cigarette during their time in the airport and flight.
It is important to note that smoking is prohibited within the airport building and outdoors when approaching or leaving the aircraft. Passengers who wish to smoke must utilise the designated smoking areas provided, and with the implementation of this new fee, they will need to factor in the additional cost for their smoking needs.
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No smoking while outdoors approaching or leaving the aircraft
Belfast International Airport has a strict no-smoking policy. Smoking is not permitted while outdoors approaching or leaving aircraft. This policy is in line with other airports, where designated smoking areas may be unavailable or located outside the airport.
At Belfast International Airport, passengers are not allowed to smoke or vape in the airport building or its vicinity when approaching or leaving the aircraft. The airport previously had a smoking gallery in the departure lounge, but it was closed due to persistent vandalism. The airport now offers a designated smoking area at the front of the terminal building, free of charge, for passengers who need to smoke before passing through security.
For those who need to smoke after passing through security, there is an additional designated smoking area, but it comes with a charge. This area is located within the terminal building and has a fee of £1, which helps recoup the costs of building and maintaining the facility. The fee has been implemented due to the relatively small number of users and the expense of providing a specialist smoking area.
It is important to note that Belfast International Airport is not the only airport with such restrictions. Other airports, like Aberdeen, have smoking areas that are completely enclosed, making it challenging for smokers to access. These measures are in place to discourage smoking and ensure a comfortable travel experience for all passengers, whether they are smokers or non-smokers.
If you are a smoker travelling through Belfast International Airport, it is advisable to arrive early, allowing ample time to pass through security and reach the designated smoking area if needed. Additionally, consider using nicotine replacement products, such as gum or lozenges, to manage your nicotine intake during your travel.
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No smoking facilities available at Belfast City Airport
Belfast International Airport previously had a smoking gallery located in the departure area, but this has since been closed due to persistent vandalism. The airport has introduced a charge for passengers who wish to smoke after passing through security. While there are still designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building that are free of charge, accessing a smoking facility inside the airport comes with a £1 fee. This fee is meant to help recoup the cost of building and maintaining the specialist facility for a relatively small number of users.
Belfast City Airport does not have any smoking facilities available. This means that if you are travelling through Belfast City Airport and wish to smoke, you will not be able to do so once you have entered the airport building. It is important to plan ahead and factor this in if you are a smoker travelling through this airport.
While some people have expressed disappointment or frustration with the lack of smoking areas at Belfast City Airport, it is important to remember that all public places, including airports, are now non-smoking. This change is in line with the efforts to discourage people from starting to smoke and to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
If you are a smoker travelling through an airport without smoking facilities, it is recommended that you prepare in advance and consider using nicotine replacement products such as gum or lozenges to help manage your nicotine cravings while travelling. Planning ahead and bringing these products with you can make your travel experience more comfortable and reduce agitation due to nicotine withdrawal.
Remember to respect the rules and non-smoking areas at Belfast City Airport, and if you need assistance or have questions, you can always contact the airport or your airline directly for more information.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no smoking facilities available at Belfast City Airport.
Passengers could smoke at the smoking gallery located in the departure area of the airport.
It cost £1 to smoke at the designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building.
The airport closed its airside smoking gallery due to "persistent vandalism".
