Shanghai, China
Smoking policy at Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Warnings & Caveats
Do not bring an expensive lighter. All lighters and matches are are confiscated at arrival and depature.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is not a non-smoking airport, but smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas. You cannot smoke in the terminal, at the gates, in airport toilets or in any place without a smoking sign.
The most important rule to note at PVG is that lighters and matches are often confiscated by security, so do not bring an expensive lighter with you. Some smoking rooms have lighters available in-room or outside, but not always.
Before Security
Outside the security area, smoking is usually allowed in outdoor designated areas outside the terminal buildings, with few facilities such as ashtrays or pole-style bins to accommodate smokers.
This is useful if you're early, but no use at boarding time - when you return from going out to the smoking area you will have to re-enter the terminal and pass through security.
After Security
PVG does have post-security smoking rooms, but their locations vary by terminal and/or gate area.
Terminal 1 Domestic
Downstairs, there is a designated smoking area between Gates 200 and 203, signposted, but allow extra time for walking.
Terminal 1 International
Terminal 1 International has a smoking room near Gate 216 that is signed, ventilated and limited in seating capacity.
Satellite Terminal S1
At Terminal S1, on Gates 551-552, there is also a smoking room, but as it is a bare cell with no furniture, it may only be useful if your gate is in this area.
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 has several designated smoking areas:
Gate G651: a downstairs smoking room. Supposedly well signed, but lighters have been found inside.
Gates D67 to D69: an outdoor caged smoking area adjacent to Lounge 68 and the Cathay Pacific Lounge.
Gate C221: older reported outdoor smoking cage (reached by escalator down to ground floor level).
Gate D73 / Café Deco: A former "bird cage" smoking space behind Cafe Deco, current availability unknown.
Satellite Terminal S2
There was previously a smoking area near Gates 601-602, but it was marked temporarily closed. There is no strong evidence that it is open as of this session.
Vaping at PVG
While PVG does not distinguish between smoking and vaping, it is safest to assume that vaping is only permitted in designated smoking areas, and not inside the terminal.
Practical Advice
First, look for "Smoking Point" signs near your gate. PVG is large and some smoking areas are far from the departure gate.
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Do not take a lighter through security. Leave enough time to make your way back to your gate.
