Bologna, ItalySmoking policy at Bologna, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
Warnings & Caveats
Smoking inside the terminal or in non-designated areas is illegal under Italian law and may result in fines. Vaping and e-cigarettes are also banned indoors under the same Italian legislation. Transit passengers who exit to smoke must re-clear security and, depending on their route, may need to pass through passport control, which can take significant time.
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) operates under Italy's strict indoor smoking ban, which covers every enclosed public space in the terminal. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal building, and there are absolutely no smoking facilities once you pass through security. If you need a cigarette after clearing security, your only option is to exit the terminal, smoke outside, and go through the security screening process again.
Before Security
The sole option for smokers at BLQ is to step outside the terminal building before you check in or before you pass through security. Designated smoking areas are located outside the terminal, marked with signage and equipped with ashtrays. The exact number and precise positions of these outdoor spots are not documented in detail by available sources, but they are described as being outside the terminal entrances.
Outdoor designated smoking zones are positioned outside the terminal building, landside.
These areas are accessible to anyone before going through security, including meeters and greeters.
No indoor smoking rooms or booths exist anywhere in the terminal.
After Security
There are no smoking areas airside at BLQ. Once you have cleared security and entered the departure area, smoking is not possible anywhere within the terminal. No paid lounges with smoking terraces or smoking rooms have been reported at this airport. If you are a smoker on a layover or connecting flight, be aware that you will need to exit the secure zone, go through Italian passport/border control if applicable, smoke outside, and then re-queue for security before your next flight.
Transit and Connecting Flights
This is the most important practical point for transit passengers: BLQ does not have airside transit facilities that allow you to stay past security between connections. If you want to smoke during a layover, you must fully exit the terminal into Italy, which may require passing through passport control depending on your route. Factor in significant extra time for this if you plan to smoke between flights.
Vaping Rules
Under Italian law, the indoor smoking ban explicitly covers electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. Vaping is treated the same as smoking and is prohibited inside the terminal. You would need to use the same outdoor designated areas as traditional smokers.
Bottom Line
Smoke before you enter the terminal or before you go through security; once airside, there are no options at all. Transit passengers who want to smoke should budget substantial extra time to exit, smoke, and re-clear security.
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