More than half of UK’s 23 airports now have complete bans on smoking and vaping in place for travellers once they get through security, a study has revealed.
Only 11 of these airports have a place for smokers to light up before getting their flight after their bags have been scanned.
And even vape users aren't spared as these restrictions extend to e-cigarettes too.
This means nicotine enthusiasts could be forced to go without for several hours prior to take-off - potentially longer if there’s a delay, in additions to the time spent in the air.
And while many overseas airports do have indoor smoking areas, vape users often have no choice but to vape in the same area as tobacco users.
This might explain why uncertainty over what the smoking policy will be post-airport security is a worry for 44% of nicotine users.
Below is a list of 11 airports where you can smoke or vape past security in the UK, with the location of the smoking area
- Aberdeen, near Gate 5 (£1 entrance fee)
- Bournemouth, follow signs
- Bristol, next to Gate 4
- Cardiff, next to Gate 2
- Doncaster, first floor
- East Midlands, near Castle Rock
- Leeds Bradford, ground floor near Sports Bar
- Liverpool, lower level – signposted
- Manchester Terminal 1, near food court and Manchester Terminal 2, upper level
- Belfast, beside Lagan Bar (£1 entrance fee)
- Newcastle Airport, in Bar 11
According to nicotine pouch manufacturers Velo, 28% tend to plan their journey around where and when they’ll be able to use nicotine products.
According to the poll, 28%of everyone asked has avoided travelling by plane – opting instead to travel by what they perceive to be more tobacco or vape-friendly forms of transport.
It also emerged 47% have travelled by plane since airports and airlines introduced smoking and vaping restrictions.
And of those who’ve done so, 71% have been in an airport smoking lounge.
Almost a fifth also find the location of the designated areas to be a frustration – believing they tend to be a considerable distance from where they need to be.
