HIDDY

How intriguing....almost worth paying to fly in F for.

The addiction can make even the respectable Japanese flout the rules. I once spotted a small group of JAL passengers at CDG huddled together at the gate having one last fly puff before boarding their flight. In typical Japanese fashion they at least had come prepared as they all shared one pocket ash tray.

There used to be a well known 'secret' area for smokers at no smoking GRU next to the lounge complex. The number of fag ends in the plant display made it easy to spot. However the last time I passed through I saw they had installed CCTV to make even the most hardened smoker feel uncomfortable using it.

MichaelBaku

When you exit the T5 arrivals hall, turn right and there is a nice 'garden' area for smokers.

If other UK airports can find a way around the smoking ban, why can't LHR?

Blueboys999

On several levels I'm afraid.

Skoodledoo

Terminal 4 has an airside smoking area.

MichaelBaku

Where is it?

Skoodledoo

Head towards Gate 6, it's just before the WH Smith on the left. You then go down steps / escalator. Surprisingly it's well signposted. It evens appears on the Terminal Maps on the website.

Paralytic

I still remember the smoking "bus shelter" inside Heathrow - it was next to useless at stopping the fumes escaping to the innocent victims walking past.

Before the ban, I said they should have replaced it with an airlock-access airtight room. Those outside wouldn't have to put up with the stench, and any cheapos could pop in for their fix without needing to light up. Win-Win.

The only flaw would be that the passengers would still smell when they got on the flight; its easy to forget how different things like that are nowadays and I don't think many can argue we're in a better place for it.

I'm all for airines giving people smoking areas outside the terminal, well away from the doors, if only to stop others having to walk through the terminal-lice as they enter the airport.

T8191

At LHR T5 we use the shelters at the extreme ends of the drop-off ramp on Departures level. At least there's some fresh air up there, and you get to say hello to BA staff

There's also a couple of zones in front of Departures, away from the doorways.

Saltire74

I have to say, I am in agreement there. I like to consider myself as a considerate smoker in that, if there is a designated smoking area, as there are plenty of outside T5, then that is where smokers should smoke. After all there is plenty of signage to direct those who are not used to T5.

What gets my goat, is the amount of smokers I have seen standing directly outside the entrance doors in the glass 'wind breaker' area and directly in the way of the entrances (staff included). Come on guys, you are giving us smokers a bad rep......

I also like to douse myself in smelly stuff before boarding so that I don't stink like a pack of 20 and make my next door neighbour suffer .

S

RedcardPingle

It think you can also smoke anywhere inbetween as well, as long as you're not too near any of the entrance points.

InfiniteCycle

The smoking area is right outside the terminal doors landslide near checkin. Preferably next to the large 'no smoking' signs, and next to all the other smokers and staff ignoring the no smoking signs - as far as I can tell.

Speedbird876

Outside Arrivals at T5, near one of the entrances, there's a sign saying

No smoking here. Children playing nearby.

(or similar)

I think it's because there's a play area inside and the children might look out the window, see the smokers, then take up smoking.

Paralytic

They're putting up a similar sign in the play area:

No playing here. Smokers nearby.

T8191

DirkGently

One of the reasons I now fly QR wherever possible - apart from the doubling of tier points vs the BA direct alternative - is because of this. And in fact the smoking area is just below the QR lounge so it's doubly convenient.

It's technically outside; it's a cage, for want of a better word, outside the main building and there are lorries and suchlike whizzing up and down either side. And I don't care a bit.