As Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) prepares to welcome passengers, smokers, vapers and users of other nicotine products will want to know the rules before they arrive.

This guide covers the smoking policy, where to expect outdoor smoking areas, what it means for connecting passengers, and Australia's strict vaping rules, based on airport information and Australian and New South Wales law.

Indoors

No smoking or vaping

Airside

No smoking areas past security

Landside outdoors

Designated zones only

Vapes & heated tobacco

Same rules as cigarettes

WSI Smoking Policy at a Glance

Smoke-free indoors, with no smoking areas airside

In line with Australian aviation rules and New South Wales smoke-free laws, Western Sydney International is a smoke-free airport indoors. Smoking, vaping and using heated tobacco devices are prohibited in every indoor area.

No smoking or vaping in

Check-in halls
Departure and arrival areas
Gate waiting areas
Airline lounges
Shops and food courts
Restrooms
Airside

No smoking rooms past security

There are no airside smoking areas or indoor smoking rooms. Once you clear security, and passport control on international flights, you cannot smoke again until you reach your destination.

Where Can You Smoke at Western Sydney Airport?

Outdoor landside zones only, before security

WSI is designed as a single, integrated terminal, so reaching the outdoor smoking areas before security should be straightforward. Exact locations should be confirmed by on-site signage once the airport opens.

Terminal exterior and forecourt

Designated zones are expected outdoors, set back from the main entrances and busy walkways.

Departures and arrivals kerbside

Look for clearly marked areas with fixed cigarette bins along set sections of the terminal exterior.

Follow the signs

Directional signs should guide you to the approved outdoor smoking areas.

4 m

NSW bans smoking within 4 metres of a pedestrian entrance to a public building.

Important: smoking outside the marked zones, for example right in front of the doors, at pick-up kerbs or at bus stops, breaks airport rules and state law and can lead to a fine.

Smoking During a Layover at WSI

Pick your connection time for a quick plan

Stay airside

Because there are no smoking rooms past security, smoking means leaving the secure area. You would then have to clear security again, and immigration on international routes, which risks a missed connection.

Your checklist

  • Stay in the secure departure area
  • Use nicotine alternatives you can carry legally
  • Smoke before you leave your origin airport

You may be able to step outside

With enough time and the right travel documents, you can leave the terminal to use a landside smoking zone. Plan your return carefully.

Your checklist

  • Check you are allowed to enter Australia (visa or ETA)
  • Collect any baggage and clear customs if required
  • Allow 60 to 90 minutes to re-clear security and passport control

Vaping, E-Cigarettes and Heated Tobacco

Australia has some of the world's strictest vaping laws

E-cigarettes, vapes, pod devices and heated tobacco products are treated the same as cigarettes. Using them inside the terminal or past security is prohibited; you may only use them in the designated outdoor smoking zones.

Bringing vapes into Australia

Vapes are tightly regulated in Australia. Under the traveller exemption, arriving passengers can generally bring a small quantity for personal use only, such as:

  • up to 2 vapes and 20 vape accessories
  • up to 200 mL of vape liquid, with nicotine no stronger than 20 mg/mL

Check the latest Australian Border Force and TGA rules before you travel, as limits can change.

Duty-free tobacco allowance

Adult travellers arriving in Australia can bring a duty-free allowance of just 25 cigarettes or 25 g of tobacco. Anything above that must be declared and is subject to duty.

Cabin bag only: vapes, e-cigarettes, spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in your carry-on.
Never in checked bags: lithium batteries are a fire risk and will be removed at screening. Using or charging vapes on board is not allowed.

Essential Tips for Smokers at WSI

Avoid fines, missed flights and confiscated items

Smoke before security

Finish your cigarette or vape at the outdoor landside zones before screening, as there are no options airside.

Watch your boarding time

Keep checking flight screens or your airline app while outside; queues can grow quickly at peak times.

Lighters and matches

You can usually carry one lighter or one box of safety matches on your person, never in checked bags.

Respect no-smoking signs

Avoid smoking near entrances, outdoor seating or bag drop areas to prevent a fine or security intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

No. Smoking, vaping and heated tobacco devices are prohibited in all indoor areas, including check-in halls, gate areas, lounges, shops and restrooms.

No. There are no airside smoking rooms or areas. Once you pass security, and passport control on international flights, you cannot smoke until you leave the airport at your destination.

Only in designated outdoor smoking zones on the landside, outside the terminal building and away from entrances. Follow the on-site signs to find them.

Only in the designated outdoor smoking zones. Vapes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products follow the same rules as cigarettes and are banned indoors and airside.

Arriving travellers can generally bring a small amount for personal use under the traveller exemption, such as up to 2 vapes, 20 accessories and 200 mL of liquid with nicotine of no more than 20 mg/mL. Check current Australian Border Force rules before you fly.

The duty-free allowance is 25 cigarettes or 25 g of tobacco per adult traveller. Anything above that must be declared.

No. Vapes, e-cigarettes and spare lithium batteries must go in your cabin bag, and you cannot use or charge them on board.

Only if you have enough time and the right documents to enter Australia. You will need to clear security again, and immigration on international routes, so allow at least 60 to 90 minutes.