Flying through London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and need a smoke? Heathrow is officially a smoke-free airport under British law, but there are some options available. Here’s what you need to know about smoking at the UK’s busiest airport.
Smoking Policy at London Heathrow
Heathrow Airport is smoke-free in line with British law, which prohibits smoking in enclosed public spaces. The official policy states that smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminal buildings. However, some terminals have outdoor areas that passengers have discovered airside.
Terminal 2 Smoking Area
Terminal 2 has a smoking area near Gate A1. There’s also an official sign saying “Smoking Area” at the top of an escalator next to gate A18 on the first floor. The smoking area is on the ground floor adjacent to the lower-numbered A gates – there’s a door straight from the gate area. This option was still available as of early 2025.
Terminal 3 Smoking Area
There are no indoor smoking rooms in Terminal 3. However, before the bus boarding point for terminal transfers, there’s an outdoor smoking area that offers some protection from the rain – described by travelers as “a cage with ashtrays.” It’s not glamorous, but it works.
Terminal 4 Smoking Area
Terminal 4 has a smoking area located behind Burberry. While the official Heathrow website says there’s no smoking past security, this outdoor area remains accessible to passengers in the secure zone.
Terminal 5 – Limited Options
Terminal 5 is the most challenging for smokers. Once you enter T5 airside, it’s difficult to access a smoking area. Some travelers take the bus to Terminal 4 to use the smoking area there, but this requires significant time:
- Transit time from T5 to T4: approximately 30 minutes
- You’ll need to clear security again when returning to T5
- Allow at least 1 hour 30 minutes for the round trip
Pre-Security Smoking
The safest option at any terminal is to smoke in the designated outdoor areas before entering the terminal or clearing security. These are located outside all terminal buildings, away from entrances.
Vaping at Heathrow
Adult vapers and heated tobacco users should use the same designated smoking areas outside the terminal buildings. Vaping is not permitted inside any Heathrow terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heathrow is officially smoke-free indoors, but designated outdoor smoking areas are available outside each terminal. Terminals 2 and 4 also have outdoor areas accessible from the airside/secure zone.
Officially no, but Terminals 2 and 4 have outdoor areas that passengers can access after security. Terminal 2’s is near gate A1, and Terminal 4’s is behind Burberry. Terminal 5 has very limited options after security.
Terminal 2 is generally considered the most accessible for smokers, with a smoking area near the A gates that’s reachable from the secure zone. Terminal 5 is the most challenging, with limited options after security.
Vaping is not permitted inside Heathrow terminals. Vapers should use the same designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal buildings.