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What are the smoking rules at airports?
What are the smoking rules at airports? This article looks at whether smoking, vaping and nicotine pouches are allowed at airports in the UK. We provide a detailed guide to the rules in airports.
If you regularly consume nicotine by smoking or vaping, the thought of catching a flight can be a daunting one. More than six in 10 nicotine users* admit they feel anxious about not being able to smoke or vape once they get through airport security, according to a VELO study*.
If you have questions about smoking at the airport, we’re here to make things clear. Read on for all you need to know about rules and smoking area provision at various UK airports. Whether you want to use VELO pouches on your flight or whilst you wait in the airport, explore our range to find them in different nicotine strengths, sizes and flavour profiles.
Airport Regulations on Vaping & Smoking
Can you smoke cigarettes at airports?
No, you cannot smoke within airports in the UK. As with all public buildings, businesses, workplaces or transport facilities in Britain, cigarette smoking is banned indoors and in enclosed spaces. Depending on the airport, you may find smoking is restricted even in outdoor areas such as drop-off zones and transport interchanges. However, some terminals do provide designated open-air smoking areas, which may or may be before or after you’ve made your way through security (or both).
Can you vape in airports?
Generally vaping at airports follows the rules of smoking at airports, which means you cannot vape or use e-cigarettes inside the terminal buildings, but there are designated smoking and vaping areas outside. However, if the terminal does have a designated smoking area, you will be able to go there to vape. Vaping on planes is banned by all airlines.
Can you use nicotine pouches at airports?
Yes, you can use nicotine pouches at UK airports. Some people who consume nicotine via smoking or vaping choose to switch to pouches whenever they’re travelling. Generally, you can even use nicotine pouches while on your flight. Please check with your individual airline before you fly.
What are nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small parcels containing nicotine at various strength levels. They’re designed to tuck away between the gum and lip where they’ll gradually release nicotine for your body to consume for up to half an hour of. VELO nicotine pouches use high quality, pharmaceutical-grade nicotine polymer that contains no tobacco**, as well as plant-based materials to bulk the product out and flavourings that consumers enjoy,
Subscribe from £3.50 per can
Strengths: 4MG, 6MG, 8MG, 14MG & 17MG
Sizes: Mini & Slim
Subscribe from £3.50 per can
Strength: 6MG & 10MG
Sizes: Mini & Slim
Subscribe from £3.90 per can
Strengths: 10MG, 14MG & 17MG
Size: Slim
Subscribe from £3.90 per can
Strengths: 11MG, 14MG & 17MG
Size: Slim
Subscribe from £3.90 per can
Strengths: 11MG, 14MG & 17MG
Size: Slim
Vaping & Smoking Policies by Region
Europe - UK
Firstly, The EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) passed in 2014 lays down rules governing the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products. Using e-cigarettes is banned inside at all UK airports. There are designated areas to smoke cigarettes and vape e-cigarettes in most UK airports. Here we go through each airport to take a look at these.
Heathrow
In line with UK laws on smoking in enclosed public spaces, vaping and use of e-cigarettes is not allowed inside the terminal buildings. Vaping is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. Once you have gone through security you will not be able to smoke or vape anywhere on the premises.
Gatwick
Smoking e-cigarettes is not permitted anywhere inside both North and South Terminals. Designated smoking areas are clearly marked outside both terminals.
https://www.gatwickairport.com/passenger-guides/airport-maps.html
Birmingham
Treated in the same way as regular cigarettes in the terminal, meaning they can only be smoked in the outside smoking facility.
Luton
E-cigarettes cannot be used anywhere apart from the smoking area outside the terminal, located outside the front entrance.
Stanstead
You cannot smoke or vape inside the terminal building, but there are designated outdoor smoking areas. Use of e-cigarettes has not been permitted indoors since August 2014.
Manchester
Each terminal has outdoor smoking areas before check-in and after arrivals, with Terminal 1 offering an airside area near the food court, Terminal 2 having a smoking area on the upper level of the departure lounge, and Terminal 3 advising smokers to use the designated outside areas before check-in; e-cigarettes are not allowed inside the airport.
Bristol
You cannot smoke or vape inside the terminal building, but there are designated outdoor smoking areas. E-cigarettes can only be used in the designated smoking areas.
Edinburgh
You cannot smoke or vape inside the terminal building, but there are designated outdoor smoking areas.
Europe (Wider)
The EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) passed in 2014 lays down rules governing the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products. Using e-cigarettes is heavily regulated in European airports.
Finding Designated Smoking Areas
If you’re looking for the designated areas for smoking or vaping, we recommend you check online before you go. Once you’re there, we suggest you refer to local resources, look at maps or ask a member of airport staff.
In this article, we have looked at whether you can smoke, vape or use nicotine pouches at airports and where, while detailing smoking, vaping and nicotine pouches.
*Research of 1,000 nicotine users aged 20 plus who've been using nicotine for six months or more carried out from 14 to 19 October 2022 through OnePoll.
** This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance.
***18+ only. This product contains nicotine and is addictive. For adult nicotine or tobacco consumers only.
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