Does Gatwick Have a Smoking Area? A Traveler’s Guide

Navigating an airport can be stressful, and for travelers who smoke, finding a designated spot is often a top priority. If you’re flying through London Gatwick, one of the UK’s busiest airports, you might be wondering about its policies. This guide provides everything you need to know about the Gatwick Airport smoking area, where to find it, and what alternatives are available once you’re past security.

We’ll cover Gatwick’s specific rules, how they compare to general UK airport smoking policies, and offer practical tips for a smoother journey. Whether you use cigarettes or vape, this detailed overview will help you plan your time at the airport without any last-minute confusion.

An Introduction to London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick (LGW) is the second-busiest airport in the United Kingdom, serving millions of passengers each year. Located south of Central London, it’s a major hub for a wide range of airlines, offering flights to destinations across the globe. The airport is split into two main terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal. Both are equipped with a vast array of shops, restaurants, lounges, and other facilities designed to enhance the passenger experience.

Given its size and the sheer volume of people passing through, Gatwick has comprehensive policies in place to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of everyone. This includes clear guidelines on where passengers can and cannot smoke. Understanding these rules before you arrive can save you time and help you navigate the terminals more efficiently.

Smoking Policies in UK Airports: A General Overview

Before we dive into the specifics of Gatwick, it’s helpful to understand the broader context of smoking policies at UK airports. Following the nationwide ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, which came into effect in 2007, all UK airport terminals became smoke-free zones. This means you cannot smoke anywhere inside the terminal buildings, including shops, restaurants, and gate areas.

This strict enforcement is a key aspect of UK airport smoking rules. The primary aim is to protect all passengers and staff from the effects of secondhand smoke. As a result, airports have established designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings. These are the only places where smoking is legally permitted on airport grounds before you pass through security. Once you are “airside” (the area past security checks), the rules become even stricter, with very few UK airports offering smoking facilities.

Gatwick Airport Smoking Area: Locations and Accessibility

So, does Gatwick have a smoking area? Yes, but only before you go through security. Gatwick Airport strictly enforces its no-smoking policy inside both the North and South Terminals. This ban extends to e-cigarettes and vaping devices. If you need to smoke, you must use the designated smoking areas located outside the terminal buildings.

These areas are clearly signposted and are the only permitted smoking zones at Gatwick. It is crucial to use these specific locations, as smoking outside of them can result in fines.

Smoking Zones at Gatwick: North Terminal

If you are flying from the North Terminal, you will find designated smoking areas on the ground floor, just outside the terminal entrances and exits. These areas are conveniently located for passengers arriving at or leaving the airport.

• Location: Outside the main entrance on the lower level (arrivals).
• Accessibility: Easily accessible before you check in or after you’ve collected your baggage upon arrival. There are clear signs directing you to these zones.

Remember, once you pass through the security checkpoint in the North Terminal, you will not have access to any smoking facilities. You cannot return to the outdoor areas without exiting the secure zone, which would require you to go through security again.

Smoking Zones at Gatwick: South Terminal

The South Terminal also has clearly marked designated smoking areas outside the main building. Similar to the North Terminal, these are your only options for smoking.

• Location: Outside the ground-level entrances and exits, near the drop-off and pick-up zones.
• Accessibility: These areas are situated for easy access for departing passengers before check-in and for arriving passengers after they have left the baggage claim area.

The policy is consistent across both terminals: smoking is only allowed in the designated outdoor zones before security. Plan accordingly, as this will be your last opportunity to smoke before your flight.

Can You Smoke After Security at Gatwick?

This is one of the most common questions from travelers, and the answer is simple: no, you cannot smoke after security at Gatwick Airport.

Once you have cleared security in either the North or South Terminal, you are in the “airside” departure lounge. There are no designated smoking areas, smoking rooms, or outdoor terraces available to passengers in this part of the airport. The smoking policies at Gatwick Airport are absolute in this regard. This rule applies to all forms of smoking, including traditional cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.

Some international airports have airside smoking lounges or terraces, but this is not the case at Gatwick or most other UK airports. If you are a smoker with a long layover or potential flight delay, it is essential to be aware of this. Leaving the airside area to smoke outside would mean you have to pass through security screening again to get back to your gate, which can be time-consuming and stressful.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping at Gatwick

The airport’s rules extend to electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited inside the terminal buildings, just like regular cigarettes. You can only use your vaping device in the same designated smoking areas located outside the North and South Terminals.

When it comes to carrying e-cigarettes in your luggage, there are important security rules to follow:

• Hand Luggage Only: E-cigarettes, vaping devices, and their batteries must be carried in your hand luggage. They are not permitted in checked baggage due to the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries.
• Liquid Restrictions: The e-liquid or vape juice is subject to the same 100ml (3.4oz) liquid restrictions as other toiletries. All liquids must fit into a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag.
• Charging: You are not allowed to charge your e-cigarette or vaping device while on the aircraft.

Always check with your specific airline for their policies regarding the use and carriage of vaping devices, as rules can vary.

Tips for Travelers Who Smoke

Knowing Gatwick’s smoking rules in advance can help you plan your journey and avoid unnecessary stress. Here are some practical tips:

1. Smoke Before Security: Your last chance to smoke will be in the designated outdoor areas before you enter the security screening queue. Plan to arrive at the airport with enough time to have a cigarette without rushing.
   
2. Factor in Connection Times: If you have a connecting flight at Gatwick and wish to smoke, you would need to formally enter the UK (if arriving internationally), exit the terminal, smoke in the designated area, and then go back through check-in and security. This is often not feasible unless you have a very long layover.
   
3. Consider Nicotine Alternatives: For long-haul flights or lengthy waits in the departure lounge, consider bringing nicotine alternatives like gum, patches, or lozenges. These can help manage cravings while you are in the smoke-free zones.
   
4. Check Airline Policies: While Gatwick has its own rules, your airline will have specific policies regarding smoking and vaping on board the aircraft. Smoking is universally banned on all commercial flights.
   
5. Respect the Rules: Always use the designated smoking zones. Ignoring the rules can lead to fines and is disrespectful to other passengers and airport staff. The clearly marked areas are there for a reason.

By preparing ahead, you can ensure a much smoother and more pleasant experience at Gatwick Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about smoking at Gatwick Airport.

Q: Are there any smoking lounges at Gatwick?

A: No, there are no smoking lounges at Gatwick Airport, either before or after security. The only places you can smoke are the designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings.

Q: Can I buy cigarettes at Gatwick Airport?

A: Yes, you can purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products at the duty-free shops located in the departure lounges after security. However, you cannot smoke them inside the airport or on the plane. These purchases are for you to take to your destination.

Q: What happens if I smoke inside the Gatwick terminal?

A: Smoking inside the terminal is a violation of UK law and airport regulations. You could face a fine and be asked to extinguish your cigarette immediately by airport staff or security.

Q: Are the rules different for the North and South Terminals?

A: No, the smoking policies at Gatwick Airport are the same for both the North and South Terminals. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the buildings, before you go through security.

Q: Can I vape after security at Gatwick?

A: No, the ban on smoking after security also applies to e-cigarettes and vaping devices. You must use these in the same outdoor designated smoking areas as traditional cigarettes.

Q: I have a long layover at Gatwick. What are my options for smoking?

A: If you have a long layover and want to smoke, your only option is to leave the airside departure area, go outside to a designated smoking zone, and then re-enter the terminal and go through security again. Be sure you have enough time to do this without missing your connecting flight. For most passengers, this is not a practical option.

Conclusion

Navigating Gatwick Airport as a smoker is straightforward once you know the rules. The key takeaway is that all smoking, including vaping, must be done in the designated smoking areas located outside the North and South Terminals before you pass through security. There are absolutely no Gatwick Airport smoking area facilities available airside.

By planning ahead, using the designated zones, and considering nicotine alternatives for your time in the departure lounge and on your flight, you can ensure a hassle-free start to your journey. Adhering to the airport’s policies helps create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.