Smoking Ban at Over Half of UK Airports

Dec.22.2022
Smoking Ban at Over Half of UK Airports
More than half of the UK's 23 airports have banned smoking and vaping after security checks. Only 11 have designated smoking areas.

A study has shown that over half of the 23 airports in the UK now completely ban passengers from smoking and using e-cigarettes after passing through security checks.


Several airports in the UK have implemented a full ban on smoking and e-cigarettes, including Birmingham Airport, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Exeter Airport, Gatwick Airport, Glasgow Airport, Heathrow Airport, Luton Airport, and Stansted Airport. Even those who use e-cigarettes are not exempt from the restrictions, as the ban also extends to e-cigarettes.


This means that nicotine enthusiasts might be forced to leave several hours before takeoff, and if there are any delays, they might have even longer periods of time where they cannot use tobacco products, aside from the time spent on the flight.


Only 11 airports in the United Kingdom have designated smoking areas where smokers can use cigarettes and e-cigarettes after passing through baggage screening and before their flights take off.


Although many overseas airports do have indoor smoking areas, e-cigarette users often have no choice but to use their device in the same area as tobacco smokers.


This may explain why 44% of nicotine users are concerned about the uncertainty of airport smoking policies.


Here is an inventory of 11 airports in the UK, where you can smoke or go through security, and the location of designated smoking areas:


Aberdeen, near Gate 5 (with an entrance fee of £1).


Bournemouth, follow the signs.


Bristol, located next to Gate 4.


Cardiff, located next to Gate 2.


5. Tangcaster, first floor;


East Midlandz, near Castle Rock.


Liz Bradford is located on the ground floor near the sports bar.


Liverpool, Bottom of the Table.


Manchester Terminal 1 is situated near the food court and the upper level of Manchester Terminal 2.


Belfast: Entry fee of £1 at the Logan Bar.


Newcastle Airport, located at the 11th bar.


According to nicotine pouch manufacturer Velo, 28% of people tend to plan their trips around when and where they can use nicotine products.


According to a recent survey, 28% of respondents are avoiding air travel and opting for alternative modes of transportation that they feel are more compatible with tobacco or e-cigarettes.


Since the introduction of smoking and vaping restrictions by airports and airlines, 47% of people have opted to travel by plane.


Of those who engage in this behavior, 71% have visited smoking lounges in airports.


Nearly one-fifth of people also found the location of designated areas disappointing, believing that they were quite far from their boarding gates.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Philip Morris Romania Expands IQOS Boutique Network to 120 Locations With Retail 2.0 Store
Philip Morris Romania Expands IQOS Boutique Network to 120 Locations With Retail 2.0 Store
Philip Morris Romania has opened IQOS Boutique Victoriei in Bucharest, expanding the country’s IQOS retail network to 120 points of sale and advancing a Retail 2.0 concept that combines design, technology, interactive art and urban culture.
PMI
Jul.13
IQOS Opens First Global Flagship in Tokyo Ginza, Launches 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets
IQOS Opens First Global Flagship in Tokyo Ginza, Launches 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets
IQOS opened its first global flagship, IQOS Flagship Ginza, in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, replacing the former IQOS Store Ginza after nearly a decade of operation. The new location expands conventional product retail into member lounges, digital experiences, art installations and brand programming. IQOS also launched a Ginza-exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME set limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, priced at JPY11,980, or about US$77. PMI Sales Strategy Consultant Yuji M. later said on LinkedIn that more than 500 people had lined up from the night before the opening.
Sep.07
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
From a 2017 Launch to 48% of South Korea’s Heated Tobacco Market, KT&G Looks Back on a Decade of lil
KT&G announced on Aug. 13, 2026, that it has opened “lil Archive,” a brand exhibition space in Seoul showcasing the evolution, technology platforms and future direction of its heated tobacco brand lil since its launch in 2017. KT&G said lil now spans three major platforms — lil SOLID, lil HYBRID and lil AIBLE — with more than 30 dedicated consumables, and held a 48% share of South Korea's heated tobacco market in the second quarter of 2026. The opening comes as lil enters its 10th year, with KT&G continuing to position the brand for expansion beyond its domestic market.
Aug.14
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Attorney General Stephen J. Cox has sent notices to more than 1,500 tobacco retailers and distributors warning them against selling vape and nicotine pouch products that lack authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Alaska Department of Law, businesses were advised to verify products against FDA authorization databases and avoid selling unauthorized nicotine products. The action highlights how state-level enforcement is increasingly extending federal product authorization requirements to retail channels.
Jul.24
BREAKING | China’s Tobacco Regulator Summons iMiracle Over Suspected Compliance Breaches
BREAKING | China’s Tobacco Regulator Summons iMiracle Over Suspected Compliance Breaches
Based on public records reviewed by 2Firsts, this is the first time China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has publicly announced regulatory talks with an e-cigarette company.
Jul.29