Where you can and can’t smoke in the UK

With the rise in popularity of new tobacco-based products, there’s more confusion than ever around the rules of smoking in public spaces.

Thankfully, we’ve gone to the lengths to do the research and find out the facts for you. Here is our comprehensive guide to where you can and cannot smoke in the UK.

Table of Contents

Where you can and can’t smoke (FAQ section)

1. In public
2. Hotels
3. Airports
4. Parks
5. Pubs
6. Cars & Driving
7. Football stadiums
8. Alternatives

1. In Public

Can you smoke in public in the UK?

Smoking has been banned in virtually all enclosed or substantially enclosed public places throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2007, and in Scotland since 2006.

2. Hotels

Are there still smoking rooms in hotels in the UK?

Yes, some hotels in the UK still have smoking rooms, best to check with the hotel on their policy.

Are you allowed to smoke in hotel rooms in the UK?

Sometimes, yes. Hotels are allowed to designate bedrooms where smoking is allowed. However, the other parts of the hotel must remain smokefree.

Can a hotel fine you for smoking in the UK?

Yes, if you are found smoking outside of a designated smoking room, you may be fined by the establishment at which you’re staying.

Can you smoke in a hotel bathroom in the UK?

You are only allowed to smoke in the bathrooms of designated smoking hotel rooms. Smoking in the bathroom of a smokefree hotel room is prohibited and may result in being fined by the hotel.

3. Airports

Is there a smoking area in Birmingham airport?

There is a designated smoking area just outside the front of the airport terminal.

Is there a smoking area in Bristol airport?

Yes, there are a few designated smoking areas in Bristol airport. Smoking bays can be found near the exit for Arrivals, in the mezzanine bar, and near the Starbucks on the first floor.

Is there a smoking area in Dublin airport?

Yes, you can find a smoking area in the Garden Terrace Bar in Terminal 1.

Is there a smoking area in Gatwick airport?

There are clearly marked designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. However, once you’ve passed through security, there are no more smoking facilities in the airport.

Is there a smoking area in Glasgow airport?

There is a designated smoking area located outside the main terminal building. However, there are no more smoking facilities once you’ve passed through security.

Is there a smoking area at Heathrow airport?

There are designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. However, once you’ve passed through security, there are no more smoking facilities in the airport.

Is there a smoking area in Heathrow terminal 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?

No, the only designated smoking areas in Heathrow airport are located outside the airport terminal buildings. There are no designated smoking areas inside any of the terminals.

Is there a smoking area at Leeds Bradford airport?

There is a designated smoking area located after security inside Leeds Bradford airport. You can access it via the departures area on the ground or first floor.

Is there a smoking area in Luton airport?

There is a sheltered designated smoking area outside the entrance of the terminal building. However, once you’ve passed through security, there are no more smoking facilities in the airport.

Is there a smoking area in Manchester airport?

Yes, there are several clearly signposted designated smoking areas available at Manchester airport.

Is there a smoking area in Manchester airport terminal 1, 2 or 3?

There are smoking areas available outside all three terminals before check-in and after arrivals. There are also dedicated smoking areas in the departures lounges at both terminal 1 and 2.

Is there a smoking area in Stansted airport?

There are clearly marked designated smoking areas outside the terminal building. However, once you’ve passed through security, there are no more smoking facilities in the airport.

4. Parks

Can you smoke in a public and national park in the UK?

As most parks are open, public spaces, smoking is generally not prohibited. However, it depends on the individual parks’ rules, so it’s always worth checking.

Can you smoke in Hyde Park in the UK?

Yes, you are allowed to smoke outside in Hyde Park, but smoking is prohibited in any indoor space at the park.

Can you smoke in London parks in the UK?

Generally, speaking you can smoke in most London parks as long as they are not enclosed or substantially enclosed spaces. However, the rules may change depending on the park so it’s always worth checking. 

Can you smoke in Regent’s Park in the UK?       

Yes, you are allowed to smoke in Regent’s Park.

Can you smoke in St. James’ Park in the UK?

Yes, you are allowed to smoke outside in St James’ Park, but smoking is prohibited in the indoor spaces and near the playground.

Can you smoke in Stanley Park in the UK?

Yes, you are allowed to smoke outside in Stanley Park, but smoking is prohibited in the indoor spaces.

5. Pubs

Can you smoke in pubs in the UK?

No, smoking is prohibited indoors at all pubs in the UK. However, most pubs offer a designated outdoor smoking area to accommodate nicotine users.

When was smoking banned in pubs?

In 2006/2007, legislation was passed prohibiting smoking in all pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs in the UK.

When was smoking banned in pubs in England?      

 In July 2007, smoking was banned in pubs in England.

When was smoking banned in Scotland?

In March 2006, smoking was banned in pubs in Scotland.

6. Cars & Driving

Can you smoke in a hospital parking lot or car park?

Many hospitals do not allow smoking anywhere on their grounds. However, some hospitals offer designated outdoor smoking areas.

Can you smoke in a parking garage or multistorey car park?

In the UK, smoking in public buildings is prohibited. As a result, smoking is not allowed in parking garages or multistorey car parks.

Can you smoke in underground parking?

In the UK, smoking in public buildings is prohibited. As a result, smoking is not allowed in underground parking buildings.

7. Football stadiums

Can you smoke in the football stadiums in the UK?

No, smoking in football stadiums has been prohibited since 2007.

8. Alternatives

Since the passing of smoke-free legislation in 2007, finding accessible spaces to smoke has become tricky. However, with the help of this guide, we hope you’ll find somewhere.

If you’re looking to try an alternative to traditional smoking, heated tobacco devices like Ploom offer an authentic, satisfying, and more convenient tobacco experience. Ploom’s innovative HeatFlow™ technology produces a tobacco vapour with no smoke smell, making Ploom easier to enjoy in a multitude of environments as you go on your next adventure.

Plus, Ploom is a lower cost alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, with a pack of 20 EVO tobacco sticks costing £4.50 - less than half the cost of a pack of cigarettes*.

Discover how Ploom can work for you and browse our Starter bundle today.