London Airports: Where Can You Smoke?

London is home to several airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, London Stansted, and London City Airport. While the rules vary slightly between airports, generally, smoking is not permitted within the terminal buildings of London airports, and is instead restricted to designated areas outside the terminal buildings. For example, Heathrow Airport has two officially designated smoking areas, one in Terminal 2 and the other in Terminal 4, both of which are intended for departing passengers. London Stansted Airport also has designated smoking areas outside the terminal building's landside areas, but does not permit smoking within the terminal building. Similarly, London City Airport prohibits smoking within the terminal building and directs passengers to designated areas outside the building. Gatwick Airport, on the other hand, does have a smoking area after security, near Departure Gate.

London Heathrow Terminal 2 has a smoking area

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminal buildings. Once you have passed through security control, you will not be able to smoke or vape anywhere on the premises. So, if you are flying from Terminal 2 and want to smoke, you should do so before going through security.

The smoking area in Terminal 2 is located in the A Gate area near Gate A1. To get to the smoking area, head downstairs, just like in Terminal 4. Once you reach the ground floor, turn right and you will see the entrance to the smoking area. The smoking area is inside a caged-off section and has a separate room for smoking.

Some travellers have reported that the signage for the smoking area in Terminal 2 is a bit vague, so keep your eyes peeled. There is an escalator that takes you down to the smoking area and a lift to bring you back up.

If you are catching a connecting flight at Heathrow, please note that smoking is not permitted during the connection process. It is only possible to access the outdoor smoking areas by entering the UK via Passport Control, and then you would have to pass through security control again to return to the departure lounge.

London Heathrow Terminal 4 has a smoking area

To find the smoking area in Terminal 4, follow the signs once you are past security. You will walk towards the end of the terminal, head downstairs via two sets of escalators, exit via double doors, and enter an enclosed outdoor cage.

There are also outdoor smoking areas at each terminal located on the ground level (arrivals level). However, once you have passed through security control, you will not be able to smoke anywhere in the departure lounge.

If you are catching a connecting flight, please note that smoking is not permitted during the connection process. It is only possible to access the outdoor smoking areas by entering the UK via Passport Control, and you would then have to pass through security control again to return to the departure lounge.

London Heathrow Terminal 5 does not have a smoking area

However, smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. If you are catching a connecting flight at Heathrow, you can access the outdoor smoking areas by entering the UK via Passport Control. After this, you will have to pass through security control to return to the departure lounge.

If you are an e-cigarette user, please be aware that these are not permitted within the Heathrow premises. If you are intending to carry e-cigarettes in your hand luggage, check with your airline to ensure they are allowed on board the aircraft.

London Stansted does not allow smoking inside the terminal

London Stansted Airport does not allow smoking inside the terminal. In fact, in 2007, a British Law was passed that banned smoking in public or open areas, especially in airports. The airport has several designated smoking areas outside the terminal building's landside areas. If you wish to smoke, you can find a smoking area outside the main terminal with smoking bins adjacent to the bus stop. It is only a 1-2 minute walk from the terminal.

E-cigarettes and vapes are also not allowed inside the terminal. They are only permitted in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal.

It is important to note that smoking is hazardous to health and can cause lung cancer.

E-cigarettes are not allowed inside London Heathrow

London Heathrow is a smoke-free airport, in line with British law on smoking in enclosed public spaces. This includes the smoking of traditional cigarettes and the vaping of e-cigarettes.

There are no designated smoking areas inside the airport, and passengers are not permitted to use e-cigarettes within the Heathrow premises. However, smoking and vaping are permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building.

If you are a connecting passenger at Heathrow, please note that smoking is not permitted during the connection process. The only way to access the outdoor smoking areas is by entering the UK via Passport Control, and you would then have to pass through security control again to return to the departure lounge.

If you are intending to carry e-cigarettes in your hand luggage, it is important to check with your airline to ensure they are allowed on board the aircraft, as some airlines do not permit passengers to carry smoking possessions.

Frequently asked questions