Yes, you can smoke after security at Helsinki Airport (HEL). Finavia provides a few well-ventilated indoor smoking rooms in the gate areas after security, so you don’t have to leave airside to light up.
Helsinki joins the European airports with indoor smoking after security — see Zurich Airport’s many indoor smoking lounges after security and Copenhagen Airport’s indoor smoking cabins after security.
Helsinki Airport is operated by Finavia and serves as Finnair’s main hub for Asia–Europe transfer traffic. Since the multi-year terminal expansion finished, it runs as a single unified terminal, with Schengen and non-Schengen gates under one roof, which keeps connections short for transit passengers. Finavia’s official wording is simply that the airport is non-smoking with “a few well-ventilated smoking facilities in the gate area,” so treat the specific gate numbers below as traveller-reported rather than permanent — follow the airport map or signage for the nearest current room.
Smoking on the Schengen Side (Gates 5–36)
The Schengen departure area has two indoor smoking rooms that travellers use most. One sits by Gate 12 in the departures area, and a second is on the upper level near Gate 28, close to the bookshop — both are enclosed, ventilated rooms confirmed open by travellers through 2025. Either one lets you smoke airside after security without heading back out to the terminal entrance.
Because the rooms are set slightly off the main walkway, allow a few extra minutes to reach one and return to your gate, especially if you are boarding soon.
Smoking on the Non-Schengen Side (Gates 37–55)
Passengers on long-haul and non-Schengen flights are served by the far end of the terminal. The largest room here is by Gate 50, next to Burger King and the Finnair Service Desk — a roomy, well-ventilated lounge that transfer passengers report using between Asian and European connections. A smaller indoor booth sits near Gate 40, opposite the Duty Free shop.
This side is where most Finnair intercontinental departures gather, so the Gate 50 room is the handiest option if your onward flight is to or from Asia.
Outdoor Terrace and Landside Smoking
If you prefer fresh air airside, the Toastery café opposite Gate 25 has an outdoor terrace where travellers smoke, and no purchase is required to step out. It is a rare open-air option inside the secure zone.
Landside, before security or on arrival, smoking is at marked areas outside the terminal building only — the entire indoor landside area is smoke-free.
Under EU rules, no food or alcohol may be served or consumed inside any of the smoking rooms, so finish your drink before stepping in.
Smoking During an Asia–Europe Layover
Helsinki’s whole appeal for smokers is that the airside rooms exist on both sides of passport control. Finnair funnels a large share of Europe-to-Asia traffic through HEL, and many of those connections are too tight to leave and re-clear security. Because there are ventilated rooms on the Schengen side (Gates 12 and 28) and the non-Schengen side (Gates 40 and 50), you can almost always find one near your connecting gate without leaving the secure area.
Vaping
Finavia’s official rule is that smoking indoors, including e-cigarettes, is only allowed in the designated smoking rooms. Vape in the same gate-area rooms as cigarettes, not at the gate or in the concourse.
Finland regulates nicotine strictly at the national level: only tobacco-flavoured e-liquids are permitted, nicotine is capped at 20 mg/ml, and sales are restricted to ages 18 and over.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen gates (airside) | Yes | Indoor rooms near Gate 12 and Gate 28, after security |
| Non-Schengen gates (airside) | Yes | Indoor rooms near Gate 50 (by Burger King) and Gate 40 |
| Outdoor café terrace (airside) | Yes | Toastery terrace opposite Gate 25, no purchase needed |
| Landside | Yes | Marked areas outside the terminal only |
For Finland’s airport smoking rules and vaping law, see our Finland airport guide.