London, United Kingdom
Smoking policy at London, London Stansted Airport (STN)
Warnings & Caveats
Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the entire terminal building, including all departure lounges and gate areas. Violating the no-smoking policy can result in fines. E-cigarettes and vapes have been banned inside the terminal since August 2014. Connecting passengers who need to smoke must exit through UK immigration, smoke outside, and re-clear security, which is rarely feasible on tight connections. Single-use disposable vapes have been illegal to sell in the UK since 1 June 2025.
London Stansted is a strict no-smoking terminal: once you pass through security, there is nowhere to smoke or vape anywhere in the building, and you cannot exit airside to use the landside smoking areas. Your only option is to smoke outside the terminal before you go through security, so plan your timing accordingly.
Before Security
Stansted has designated outdoor smoking zones on the landside forecourt outside the main terminal building. The areas are free to use, open at all hours, and require no special access.
The primary smoking zone is located outside the terminal near the bus stop, roughly a 1-2 minute walk from the terminal entrance. You'll see yellow "Smoking area" signs on grey poles pointing the way.
The area has metal benches and blue cylindrical smoking bins. It is uncovered and exposed to the elements, so factor in British weather.
A second spot near the terminal's glass facade is also visible from photos, under the canopy structure adjacent to the entrance columns.
Both spots are landside only, meaning you must use them before entering the building or after collecting your bags on arrival.
After Security
There are no smoking or vaping facilities anywhere airside at Stansted. The airport's own website states that airfield safety makes it impossible to smoke once you are in the airside portion of the building. No lounges at Stansted offer a smoking room or smoking terrace either, so paying for lounge access will not solve the problem.
Vaping Rules
Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated identically to traditional cigarettes at Stansted. They are forbidden everywhere inside the terminal building, including the departure lounge, gate areas, and any enclosed space. This ban has been in place since August 2014 under Manchester Airports Group policy. You may only vape in the same outdoor designated zones as cigarette smokers, before security.
Note also that since 1 June 2025, single-use disposable vapes are illegal to sell in the UK. If you vape, travel with a rechargeable, refillable device.
Transit and Connecting Flights
If you are connecting through Stansted, be aware that the UK has no international transit zone. You must clear UK immigration to access the landside smoking areas, and then go back through security for your onward flight. Given Stansted's layout and typical security queue times, this is rarely practical on a short connection.
Bottom Line
Smoke before you enter the terminal, outside near the bus stop, because once you are through security there is absolutely nothing available, and no amount of lounge access changes that.
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