Travelers who plan to fly from Brussels Airport (BRU) and are smokers may have difficulties finding a legal place where they can enjoy their cigarettes since Belgium has some of the toughest restrictions on indoor smoking in the whole of Europe. Nevertheless, it is possible to smoke inside the airport terminal building if you know where to do that and the exact changes in the regulations coming soon. This guide will tell you everything about it.
Can You Smoke at Brussels Airport?
Belgian law strictly forbids smoking in any public building, and an airport undoubtedly belongs to such buildings. The ban applies to traditional cigarettes, as well as to e-cigarettes and vapes; there is no loophole in the legislation in terms of vaping since it is not combustion-based tobacco.
Smoking indoors is possible in smoking rooms only, which are equipped with proper ventilation systems. Anywhere else, both indoors and outdoors, including the corridors, cafes, restrooms, stairs, and gates of the airport, smoking is prohibited by law.
Where Are the Smoking Zones in Brussels Airport?
Brussels Airport has three designated smoking zones, which are airside and thus accessible only after passing through security. These three smoking zones, according to Brussels Airport itself, are the following:
- Pier A, next to gate A30 – This smoking zone is the most convenient one for Schengen passengers because Pier A mainly serves Schengen flights.
- Pier A, near gates A/T 65–67 – The smoking zone is in the part of the pier serving non-Schengen flights (including long-haul departures) during the majority of the day. Since the gates number serves also for “A” and “T” gates, Schengen passengers will have access to this specific smoking zone only when the part of the pier starts serving Schengen flights.
- Pier B, near gate B17 – This smoking zone is in Pier B, which serves non-Schengen flights.
In addition to the above-mentioned three airside smoking rooms, there are also landside smoking areas, meaning that you can smoke in an open area outside the airport terminal before you proceed past the security check-point. Such landside smoking areas are available at the entrances and exits of the airport terminal building, both on Departures and Arrivals levels.
Smoking Facilities at Brussels Airport
| Area | Accessibility | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal entrances/exits (Departures & Arrivals) | Landside, outdoors, pre-security | Travellers before check-in and after landing |
| Pier A, close to Gate A30 | Airside, post-security | Schengen departures |
| Pier A, close to Gates A/T 65-67 | Airside, post-security | Non-Schengen flights (partially accessible by Schengen passengers for limited time) |
| Pier B, close to Gate B17 | Airside, post-security | Non-Schengen departures |
Tips for Locating and Using the Smoking Rooms
Navigating through the large international airport is not always an easy task, and there have been many complaints about the unclear signposting of the smoking rooms in question. The following tips could come in handy:
- Pay attention to the terminal signposting. The smoking rooms are marked, but not always prominently indicated among the directions at the central signposts, so make sure to pay attention near the gate numbers stated above.
- Allocate additional time. In case of airside smoking, one should allocate additional time for reaching the smoking room, waiting if it is crowded, and returning to the gate which takes longer than anticipated at a big airport such as BRU.
- Make sure to have your boarding pass on hand. As the smoking rooms are located in the passenger area beyond security check, one might be required to produce their boarding pass depending on their point of departure or arrival.
- Utilize the disposal bins. The smoking rooms are provided with appropriate bins for throwing away cigarette butts; their usage will ensure the availability of the premises for others as well as save one from possible troubles with the staff.
- Keep the Schengen/non-Schengen distinction in mind. Since Brussels Airport segregates passengers according to Schengen and non-Schengen status in different piers, you will not be able to casually move from Pier A to Pier B airside without matching your ticket/boarding pass to that pier. Find out whether you can reach any of the smoking rooms on your route.
- Vaping is governed by the same restrictions as smoking. If you vape, you will have access to the same smoking rooms or outdoor areas – vaping is treated equally to smoking at Brussels Airport.
What’s Coming Next: Smoking Rooms Soon to Go Away
It is important for frequent flyers to know that these smoking rooms will not stay much longer. Belgium has introduced far-reaching new regulations concerning tobacco use, adopted by the Council of Ministers, which come into force on January 1, 2027. Along with several other measures, including a ban on smoking and vaping on and near café and restaurant terraces, the regulations do away with all indoor smoking rooms in public places, including airports.
As per the implications, it is clear that the three airside smoking rooms at Pier A and Pier B mentioned above are set to shut down with the coming into force of the new regulation. In the meantime, they remain the only legitimate indoor locations for people to smoke at the BRU. It would be wise to visit the official website of the Brussels Airport to verify the availability of smoking rooms should your trip take place after January 2027.
Penalties for Smoking in Unauthorized Areas
It is worth mentioning that the ban on smoking in public spaces in Belgium comes with penalties. Violations of indoor smoking regulations are fined starting from about €208 for the first time. The fines are much more severe for further violations or companies that do not enforce the regulations. Although it is possible for airport security officers to give a warning, it is better not to violate this regulation, as the issue of smoking near the area where aircraft fuel is being delivered may also refer to aviation security rules.
Conclusion
Belgian airport makes a relatively decent compromise for its smokers in comparison with many other big European airports: three smoking rooms with ventilation facilities located airside (near Gate A30 of Pier A, near Gates A/T 65–67 of Pier A, and near Gate B17 of Pier B), plus smoking outside the terminal airside at the entrances before security. However, this system requires some organization – finding out in advance what pier your flight leaves from, keeping in mind Schengen vs. non-Schengen access control windows, and making additional time to go to the smoking room and back to the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Three smoking rooms are available airside: near Gate A30 of Pier A, near Gates A/T 65–67 of Pier A, and near Gate B17 of Pier B.
Yes. Smoking outside is allowed landside at the entrances/exit points of the terminal building on both the Departures and Arrivals levels.
No, since Belgian legislation equates use of e-cigarettes with other forms of tobacco, vaping is only allowed within designated smoking areas, but not across the whole terminal building.
Usually, no, because Brussels Airport segregates passenger flow airside into Schengen (Pier A) and non-Schengen (Pier B) sections; however, you might be able to travel between piers depending on the type of boarding pass that you have.
Only for some more time. In connection with new legislation in Belgium, which comes into force as of January 1, 2027, there will be no more public smoking rooms at all, including the airport. It is advisable to visit the official website of the airport for further information.