What Are the Airport Smoking Lounge Rules?
The smoking lounge of an airport is a designated space that allows smokers and users of vapes or heated tobacco to enjoy their cigarettes or smoke-free alternatives. The rules around smoking lounges will vary by airport, and that’s because every airport is different.
Whether you’re booking a flight to go on holiday, a work trip or something else entirely, it is useful to know the rules within each airport.
Some airports offer a space for people to smoke or use smoke-free alternatives. If you want to use the smoking lounge, or an external smoking area, try searching for one. You can check with the airport administration who will be able to help
Where Can I Find an Airport Smoking Lounge?
The location of a smoking lounge, or smoking room, varies from airport to airport. Generally speaking, international airports do not allow indoor smoking, and designated smoking areas can usually be found outside of the facilities. It is important to consider that you usually cannot smoke once you have passed security control.
Smoking lounges are becoming increasingly rare as airports adopt no smoking policies. However, some airports do offer smoke-free lounges for those who choose to use heated tobacco products or vapes.
If the airport does not include a smoking lounge, you can try looking for an alternative outside area – such as a patio – or ask the airport staff, who will be able to help you. Never light up a cigarette or use a smoke-free alternative in an area where it is not permitted. Airports have strict policies for a reason, so only use a tobacco heating or vape device in a space where they are permitted. Lounges permitting the use of smoke-free alternatives are available in a handful of airports around the world.
Can I Vape in an Airport Smoking Lounge?
As with rules about the use of cigarettes, those for smoke-free alternatives vary between airports. Usage of vapes and other smoke-free alternatives is always prohibited by airports, unless there is an airport smoking lounge. Vapes are banned by most airlines and you cannot vape on a plane – the same is true for heated tobacco. Keep your tobacco heating or vaping device in your carry-on / hand-luggage, from boarding onwards – and throughout the duration of your journey. Avoid packing it into your general luggage or suitcase as this is often prohibited.
Another option to consider is tobacco heating systems. These systems will heat, instead of burn, tobacco. The IQOS heated tobacco range is available to view online. The range includes IQOS ILUMA - to the latest model in this range of heated tobacco products. The heat-not burn device is currently not available in South Africa.
IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive.
Our very own IQOS lounges, found in some airports around the world, have been designed with IQOS users in mind. They offer comfort for adult users looking for a place to enjoy IQOS. Our lounges permit the use of IQOS products and are a suitable place to enjoy tobacco before a flight.
Note: IQOS ILUMA is currently not available in South Africa.
