Smoking At Gatwick: Designated Areas For Travelers And Visitors

Gatwick Airport is one of the major international airports serving London, United Kingdom. It is located in West Sussex, about 30 miles south of central London. The airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, which are connected by a free shuttle train service. So, does Gatwick Airport have a smoking area?

Smoking areas at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is one of the major international airports serving London, United Kingdom. The airport is located in West Sussex, about 30 miles (48 km) south of central London. It is the second busiest airport in the UK after Heathrow Airport, with over 46 million passengers passing through its two terminals each year.

In compliance with the 2007 smoking law, Gatwick Airport has designated smoking areas outside of the terminal for passengers who wish to smoke. These zones are located outside the terminal near bus stops.

Both the North and South Terminals at Gatwick Airport have designated smoking zones. The North Terminal's outdoor smoking area is more convenient than the South Terminal's. The South Terminal's pre-security outside smoking area is a few minutes' walk through the airport, across the road by the car park.

Smoking is only permitted in these designated areas outside the terminals. There are no smoking areas indoors at Gatwick Airport.

E-cigarettes can only be used in the designated areas outside the terminal buildings.

Smoking zones at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is one of the major international airports serving London, United Kingdom. The airport is located in West Sussex, about 30 miles (48 km) south of central London. Gatwick Airport is the second-busiest airport in the UK after Heathrow Airport, with over 46 million passengers passing through its two terminals each year.

Smoking Zones

Gatwick Airport has two terminals, the North Terminal and the South Terminal, which are connected by a free shuttle train service. Both terminals have designated smoking areas outside for passengers who wish to smoke. These zones are located outside the terminal near bus stops. Smoking is only permitted in these designated areas outside the terminals.

It is important to note that there are no smoking areas inside the terminal buildings at Gatwick Airport. Smoking is only allowed outside the terminal in the designated areas before passing through security. Once you have passed through security, there are no smoking areas available.

E-cigarettes and Vapes

The use of e-cigarettes and vapes is prohibited within the airport terminal at Gatwick Airport. They can only be used in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings.

Finding the Smoking Zones

To find the smoking zones at Gatwick Airport, look out for smoking signs or ask airport support staff for directions. The North Terminal's outdoor smoking area is reported to be more convenient and closer to the terminal than the South Terminal's.

UK Smoking Law

The smoking law in the United Kingdom is governed by the Health Act 2006, which prohibits smoking in enclosed public places, including airports. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas, such as school grounds and hospital grounds.

Smoking inside Gatwick Airport

The North Terminal smoking area is more conveniently located, allowing passengers to quickly rush to their flights, while the South Terminal smoking area is located adjacent to a park, which is a few minutes' walk from the airport.

E-cigarettes and vapes are also banned within the airport premises. However, there is a rumour that Gatwick Airport has lifted the ban on nicotine gums and patches, but this has not been confirmed.

There are no smoking areas inside the airport after the security check, so passengers are advised to smoke only in the designated smoking zones outside the terminal.

E-cigarettes and vapes at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport has imposed a ban on carrying smokable content, including e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums. Therefore, possession of such items can get you in trouble at Gatwick Airport. According to a rumour, Gatwick has lifted the ban on nicotine gums and patches but not on cigarettes and vapes of any type. This news is yet to be confirmed.

E-cigarettes are treated the same as tobacco products at Gatwick Airport. This means that the same rules and restrictions that apply to smoking traditional cigarettes also apply to vaping e-cigarettes.

Vaping is banned at all UK airports, including Gatwick Airport. There are designated smoking areas outside the North and South Terminals at Gatwick Airport, but e-cigarettes cannot be used in these areas.

E-cigarettes must be stored in carry-on baggage and are prohibited in checked baggage. This applies to both domestic and international flights.

It is usually fine to carry e-cigarettes onto the plane, but using them onboard is not permitted by any airline. Here are the policies of some of the largest airlines in the UK and Ireland:

• Ryanair: You can take the e-cigarette onboard but must not use it or any other form of cigarette.
• EasyJet: You can take e-cigarettes in your hand luggage, but you cannot use them on the plane.
• British Airways: You are not allowed to take the e-cigarette in checked baggage; it must be in your hand luggage, but you must not use it.
• Aer Lingus: You can take the e-cigarette onboard, but it must be in your hand luggage, and you must not use it.
• Virgin Atlantic: You can take the e-cigarette onboard, but it must be in your hand luggage, and you must not use it.

If you are travelling with e-cigarettes, it is important to check the rules of your destination country, as different countries have varying regulations regarding their importation and use. For example, in Qatar, it is illegal to import them, and in Singapore, their use is banned.

Gatwick Airport regulations

Gatwick Airport is very strict about its smoking regulations. In accordance with British Law, smoking is not permitted inside the airport. Both the North and South Terminals have designated smoking zones outside the terminal buildings, which are clearly marked and signed. These areas are enclosed to maintain privacy.

Passengers cannot smoke after passing through security, and there are no smoking facilities for those connecting from an international to an international flight. However, the South Terminal's 'My Lounge' airport lounge features an outdoor terrace where passengers can smoke. This requires payment for lounge access.

E-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, and nicotine gums are banned within the airport.

Smokers must be mindful of other passengers and keep to the designated smoking areas.

Frequently asked questions