Brisbane Airport (BNE)

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is one of the more smoker-friendly airports in Australia, mainly because it offers a rare post-security outdoor smoking option at the International Terminal. The single most important thing to know: if you are flying internationally, you can smoke after clearing security without leaving the terminal. Domestic passengers have no airside option and must smoke before security only.

Before Security

The Domestic Terminal has sheltered outdoor smoking areas at both ends of the terminal building, outside the main entrances. These are landside, so you must smoke before passing through the security checkpoint. Once you are airside on a domestic flight, there is no way back to a smoking area without exiting the secure zone.

• Sheltered outdoor zones at the east and west ends of the Domestic Terminal building, clearly signposted.

• Queensland law requires you to stay at least 4-5 metres from any building entrance when smoking.

• No indoor smoking anywhere in either terminal.

After Security (International Terminal)

This is where Brisbane stands out among Australian airports. The International Terminal has a designated Smoking Balcony on Level 3 of the Departures Lounge, accessible only after clearing security and passport control. It sits behind The Coffee Club, near Gate A80. The balcony is open-air, with benches and cigarette disposal bins. A traveller update from December 2024 confirmed it is still operational. The door to the balcony reportedly carries a warning sign about a $5,000 fine for opening it incorrectly, so follow the posted instructions.

This balcony is available to ticketed international passengers only. If you are on a connecting international flight through Brisbane, you can use it during your layover without needing to re-clear security.

Vaping Rules

Vaping and e-cigarettes are subject to the same restrictions as traditional cigarettes under Queensland's Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998. Use only the designated outdoor areas or the International Terminal Smoking Balcony. Vaping indoors anywhere in the airport is not permitted.

Transit and Layovers

If you are transiting internationally through BNE, the Level 3 Smoking Balcony is accessible airside, so you do not need to exit and re-enter security. Domestic-to-international connections are a different matter: you would need to clear customs and immigration before accessing the international airside balcony.

Bottom Line

International passengers get a genuine open-air balcony after security near Gate A80 - one of very few such spots at any Australian airport. Domestic passengers must smoke before security at the sheltered outdoor zones at either end of the terminal.