Birmingham Airport (BHX)

Birmingham Airport operates a strict no-smoking policy inside the terminal building at all times. The only place you can smoke or vape is in the designated outdoor area outside the main terminal, before security. Once you pass through security, there are no smoking facilities of any kind until you exit the airport entirely.

Before Security

Outside the terminal entrance you'll find a clearly marked outdoor smoking zone fitted with a freestanding ashtray stand and blue "Smoking Area Only" signage. The sign explicitly states that you cannot smoke or vape beyond that point. The area is open-air and unenclosed, so expect exposure to the elements. Smoking is not permitted under covered walkways or directly beside the terminal doors, so stay within the marked boundary.

• Use this area before checking in or immediately on arrival if you need to smoke.

• Ashtrays are provided; littering cigarette butts can attract enforcement action.

• The area is accessible to anyone landside, no ticket or boarding pass required.

After Security

There are no airside smoking facilities at BHX as of the most recent verified update in July 2024. An outdoor smoking terrace near what was known as "The Meriden Bar" (later renamed "The Factory") operated from May 2012 until it was closed on 29 May 2019. The airport announced in October 2019 that a replacement facility would reopen in Q1 2021 alongside departure lounge extension works, but that facility never materialised. The current policy is unambiguous: no smoking or vaping anywhere inside the terminal after security.

One third-party source (premiere-cigs.co.uk) claims there is an outdoor terrace after security near Gates 1-20, but this conflicts with the July 2024 update from multiple traveller-verified sources and the official airport position. Treat that claim with caution and assume no airside smoking until you confirm on arrival.

Vaping Rules

Vaping is treated identically to smoking throughout the airport. E-cigarettes are banned inside the terminal and in all non-designated zones. The outdoor landside smoking area is the only place you can vape. The blue signage at the smoking stand explicitly covers both smoking and vaping.

Transit and Layovers

If you have a connecting flight and want to smoke, you will need to fully exit the terminal, clear any necessary immigration formalities, use the outdoor smoking area, and then re-enter and go through security screening again. This process takes significant time, so factor in at least 60-90 minutes of buffer if you plan to do it during a layover.

Bottom Line

Smoke before you check in; once you're through security at BHX, there is nowhere to smoke until you leave the building entirely.