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In my recent trip to Europe for a bit of skiing and sightseeing around Italy and Greece, it became obvious to me, the challenges of being a smoker whilst traveling around various parts of the world. As far as I know, it is now virtually impossible to smoke in airplanes and also in most types of public transit around the world.
Flying long distance certainly stresses me out just thinking of being cooped up in a plane for more than 7 hours without being able to smoke. Worst still is upon arrival at your transit or final destination and not being able to smoke in the airport somewhere – just anywhere. Certainly, one of the better airports to be stuck in, is Singapore’s Changi airport, if you are a smoker. This smoker-friendly airport has open air smoking lounges sprinkled throughout all it’s terminals!
Totally opposite to this (in my opinion) democratic and respectful attitude to smokers, are all the airports in Australia. None of the Australian airports has any facility for smokers but lots of bars or pubs if you like to get totally drunk – what does that say about Australian airports? It’s okay to get drunk and be a public nuisance but not okay to smoke in a smoking lounge and kill yourself from passive smoking? Such an archaic stance as far as civil liberties are concerned – why penalize smokers if they are not harming anyone else especially if they are in smoking lounges.
Athens airport was a delight! Upon arrival and even before Immigration or Customs, there was a small corner where alighting passengers could have a quick puff. Hopefully, this doesn’t change when the new anti-smoking laws come into effect in Greece. The birthplace of Democracy certainly appreciates the rights of smokers!
In Rome’s Fumicino airport, I also found a few smoking lounges scattered throughout the airport which I was grateful for.
Quit Smoking Today!
So, does anyone else know any other airports around the world which are smoker friendly – let us know here and we poor smokers of the world can make sure that we don’t transit or depart or arrive at airports that are not smoking friendly. In summary:
Singapore Changi airport – SF (Smoker Friendly)
This is a very nice forum…I’m a smoker too and travel a lot throughout Asia and the middle East..I’m American..After such long flights, I really need a smoke to relax before the luggage collection.. Malaysia is an outdoor near the taxi and bus services, not so nice even asking a question in Malaysia results in wrong info and directions….In Qatar,China… It’s not difficult to find a place to smoke, there are many…I’m traveling to Hong Kong in a few hours, leaving from Qatar (Doha) and hope to find a smoking place once I arrive in Hong Kong too!
Hi Debbie, I am glad you enjoyed this forum. I believe smoking in Hong Kong airport is only in the designated smoking lounges at the restricted areas of Terminal 1.
Lisbon Airport has the worst smoking lounge that I have been in. The one near gate 16. Disgusting and one reason more to quit smoking!
This information is priceless for smokers
Brisbane international and Cairns domestic have smoking areas airside. Auckland international also has a smoking area.
Really useful blog for smokers who loves to travels !
You can smoke in Brisbane international airport. There is an outdoor smoking area behind the coffee club. I was there a week ago ????