Is there a smoking room at Gdańsk airport?
- Damian Brzeski
- Jul 30
- 6 min read
Flying from Gdańsk and wondering where to light up without breaking the law? Airport smoking areas are a subject shrouded in mystery—literally and figuratively. Did you know that there's only one smoking cabin in the Gdańsk terminal, and its location can be tricky to find?
This article will help you avoid pre-flight stress and tell you where to legally smoke—whether a traditional cigarette, an e-cigarette, or a tobacco heater. Check before you make a mistake that could cost you up to 500 PLN.
Traveling with a cigarette in your pocket – what is worth knowing before departing from Gdańsk?
Pre-flight stress, rush, and one burning question in your head: where can you legally smoke a cigarette at Gdansk airport? It's a dilemma almost every smoker traveler is familiar with.
Unclear regulations and the fear of a fine can effectively ruin the beginning of a trip.
This guide was created to give you a specific answer.
We will show you the exact location of the smoking area at the Gdańsk airport , advise you where to smoke outside the terminal and explain how Polish law treats not only classic cigarettes, but also IQOS, Glo and e-cigarettes .
The goal is simple, practical knowledge that will make your journey through Gdańsk Airport more peaceful. No more nervous looking around and uncertainty.
Smoking area at the airport in Gdańsk – Where to smoke after security check?
Let's start with the specifics. Yes, there is a smoking area at Gdańsk Airport, accessible to passengers after passing through security. This is crucial information, allowing you to calmly plan your final moments before boarding the plane.
How to find smoking areas at the airport?
Where to find it? This is where the trouble begins. Official terminal maps and lists of shops are often silent on the subject. Airports prefer to promote restaurants and boutiques, and treat smoking areas as necessary infrastructure, not attractions.
Fortunately, travelers themselves are filling the information gap. According to their reports on online forums, the location is the same. A special, glass-enclosed smoking cabin is located in the Schengen departures area .
The easiest tip? Look for it near one of the Aelia Duty Free stores . After security, enter the main departures hall and head towards the shopping area. Finding a cabin should be no problem.
What to expect?
Be warned: don't expect a luxurious lounge. This is a functional, glass-fronted "booth," standard at many European airports. The interior has a limited capacity, and it can get crowded during peak hours.
Please note that you can only access the cabin with a valid boarding pass . This is for a last cigarette before your flight, not a place you'll use before check-in.
Where are the smoking areas outside the terminal?
While indoor smoking areas have a fixed location, outdoor smoking is governed by slightly different rules. Official airport regulations rarely include a map stating "smoking is permitted here."
Regulation through design
Instead of imposing a forest of prohibitions, airport managers use a clever tactic: regulation through design .
They place freestanding ashtrays at strategic points. Their location is not accidental—it sends a clear message: "This is where you belong."
The mechanism is simple. The tobacco control law prohibits smoking, for example, at bus stops, but not in open spaces in front of buildings. By placing ashtrays a few meters from the main entrances, the airport ensures order and comfort for non-smokers while also creating informal smoking areas.
Practical tips for traveling smokers
The golden rule is simple: look for ashtrays. They are a silent signpost that says, "You can smoke here."
Before departure: When you arrive at the airport, look for tall, freestanding ashtrays. These are usually located some distance from the doors so as not to block traffic.
Upon arrival: Once you've collected your luggage, exit the terminal building completely. The principle is the same – find a designated area with an ashtray. Trying to smoke right at the exit or at a bus stop is asking for trouble.
Smoking rules at Polish airports - a guide to Polish regulations
To understand airport regulations, you need to know their foundation. It's the Act of November 9, 1995, on the Protection of Health from the Effects of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products . It's the Act that holds the cards.
One Ban, Many Products: Equal Treatment of Cigarettes, Heaters, and E-Cigarettes
The key point is this: Polish law lumps almost all nicotine products into one basket. The law explicitly prohibits smoking:
tobacco products (traditional cigarettes),
innovative tobacco products (i.e. heaters such as IQOS, Glo ),
electronic cigarettes ( e-cigarettes ).
This ban applies to "facilities serving travelers," meaning the entire airport terminal. This debunks the myth that it's legal to "puff" from an e-cigarette in a restroom or an empty hallway. Legally, e-cigarette vapor is the same as tobacco smoke.
Moreover, from July 5, 2025, the ban will also apply to e-cigarettes with nicotine-free liquid . This finally closes all doors.
The exception that proves the rule – what is a “smoking room”?
If the ban is so broad, how on earth do airport booths even exist? The answer lies in a loophole in the regulations. The law allows facility managers to designate a smoking area, but under very strict conditions.
The smoking room must be:
structurally separated ,
appropriately marked,
intended for smoking only ,
equipped with ventilation or a filtration system that prevents smoke and steam from escaping to the outside.
The cabin in Gdańsk meets these requirements, so its existence is fully legal.
Consequences of violating the ban
Violating the smoking ban is a misdemeanor. Failure to do so may result in a warning or a fine of up to PLN 500. Airport Security and the Police, among others, are responsible for enforcing the regulations.
Changes in the law regarding smokers
The world doesn't stand still, and regulations don't stand still either. It's worth knowing what the future holds and how Gdańsk Airport compares to others in Poland.
Amendment to the Act in 2025 – what will change for smokers?
The upcoming changes are part of a European trend aimed at reducing the appeal of nicotine products. The key new features include:
Ban on the sale of flavored tobacco heaters: Flavored inserts such as menthol or fruit will disappear from the market.
Full equalisation of e-cigarettes: From 5 July 2025, the ban will cover all e-cigarettes, including nicotine-free ones.
Sales restrictions: Distance selling and vending machine sales rules will be tightened.
There is one direction: the regulations will become more and more restrictive.
How does Gdańsk compare to other Polish airports? Comparative analysis
Each airport operates under the same regulations but offers slightly different amenities. Let's see how they compare.
Feature / Airport | Gdansk Airport (GDN) | Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) | Krakow Airport (KRK) |
Smoking room in the departures area | Yes, 1 smoking cabin. | Yes, several (lounge and cabins in the Schengen and Non-Schengen areas). | Yes, 1 smoking cabin. |
Inside location | In the Schengen area, next to duty-free shops. | Schengen area: lounge at gates 43-45; cabin. Non-Schengen area: cabin. | On floor +1, near GATE 1. |
Outdoor areas | Yes, marked with ashtrays. | Yes, marked with ashtrays. | Yes, including in front of the VIP Terminal. |
The comparison shows that Gdańsk offers a solid, basic standard , comparable to Krakow. Both airports offer one indoor cabin and designated outdoor areas.
Who wins the smoking ranking? Warsaw Chopin Airport is definitely the winner, as it offers not only cabins but also a larger, more comfortable smoking lounge to accommodate significantly higher passenger traffic.
Key Tips and Summary
Time for the nitty-gritty. If you only remember a few things from this article, let this be a quick cheat sheet:
There is a smoking area in Gdańsk: After security checks, in the Schengen area, you will find one smoking cabin, most likely near the Aelia Duty Free stores.
Look for ashtrays outside: These mark legal smoking areas, both before and after departure.
One product, one rule: The smoking ban in the terminal applies equally to cigarettes, heaters (IQOS) and e-cigarettes .
Respect the regulations: Smoking in unauthorized areas can result in a fine of up to 500 PLN . It's not worth the risk.
The law is changing: Regulations are becoming increasingly stringent. It's always worth checking the current rules before traveling.
Comments