Valencia, SpainSmoking policy at Valencia, Valencia Airport (Aeropuerto de Valencia-Manises) (VLC)
Warnings & Caveats
Smoking inside the terminal building is strictly prohibited under Spanish smoke-free legislation. Vaping (e-cigarettes) is subject to the same indoor ban as traditional cigarettes. The airside smoking terrace is not prominently signed; some sources report it as unavailable, so its current status cannot be fully confirmed.
Valencia Airport (VLC) has a mixed smoking situation: smoking inside the terminal building is completely banned, but there are designated outdoor areas landside and, more notably, a smoking terrace that has reportedly opened airside past security. Sources are not fully consistent on the airside option, so treat that detail with some caution and ask airport staff if you can't find it.
Before Security
Landside, your only option is to step outside the terminal to one of the designated outdoor smoking zones. These are clearly marked with signage and equipped with ashtrays, but they are not enclosed or sheltered areas. You will need to exit the terminal building entirely.
Outdoor designated smoking zones are located outside the terminal entrance, on the landside forecourt area.
No indoor smoking is permitted anywhere in the terminal building before security.
Signage is posted in multiple languages throughout the terminal reminding passengers of the no-smoking rule indoors.
After Security
This is where things get more interesting. One source (airportsmokers.com) reports that a smoking terrace has recently opened past security, located on the lower level to the right as you descend the escalator after the security checkpoint. A second source (valencia-international-airport.com) also confirms a dedicated outdoor smoking terrace exists in the departures area past security, though it notes that signage for it is not very prominent. If you can't find it, ask airport staff directly.
The terrace is described as being on the lower level, to the right after going down the escalator from the security area.
Not all sources agree this area is currently operational, so verify on arrival.
The airportsmokinglounge.com source, by contrast, states there is no smoking area inside the terminal after security, which may reflect an older or outdated report.
Vaping Rules
Spanish airports treat e-cigarettes the same as traditional cigarettes. Vaping indoors is prohibited throughout the terminal. You must use the same designated outdoor smoking zones as regular smokers, both before and after security.
Transit and Layovers
VLC is a single-terminal airport, so there are no inter-terminal transfers to worry about. If you have a layover and need to smoke airside, head to the lower-level terrace described above. If you cannot locate it, staff at the information desk should be able to direct you.
Bottom Line
Smoke outside before entering the terminal if you want a guaranteed option; the airside terrace past security appears to exist but is not prominently signed, so ask staff if you can't find it on your own.
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