A smoking section is an area designated for the use of people who want to be able to smoke. Smoking sections can be seen in bars, restaurants, and a variety of other facilities. They are subject to regulation and in some areas, smoking sections are not allowed because smoking is unilaterally barred. Areas designated for the use of smokers tend to be clearly marked so that people can seek them out or avoid them, depending on their needs.
Historically, smoking was permitted in all public areas. Safety restrictions on smoking started developing in response to concerns about health and air quality, leading to the development of separate smoking sections on aircraft, in restaurants, and in other facilities. This allowed people to choose between sitting in an area where they could smoke or selecting a non-smoking section, where some exposure to smoke would occur as a result of air circulation, but people would not be smoking in close proximity.
In a smoking section, it is common to see ashtrays provided so that people can dispose of ashes and butts neatly. Some smoking sections are also stocked with matches for the convenience of visitors, and may have vending machines for cigarettes and other tobacco products. The smoking section may be entirely closed off to keep smoke as contained as possible, or it may be partially open for better air circulation, leading to some inevitable spread of smoke into other areas.
The legality of using smoking products other than tobacco in a smoking section varies. In nations where products like hashish and marijuana are legal, people may be able to smoke these in a smoking section. In other regions, smoking illegal drugs in public can be associated with criminal penalties. People who are not sure about the prevailing laws may want to consult someone before they light up to avoid running afoul of the authorities. Other smokers can often provide information on what is allowed in a smoking section as they are typically familiar with the rules.
Increasing regulation of smoking in many regions of the world has led to the disappearance of smoking sections because smoking may not be allowed, period, even in designated areas. Smoking is categorically banned on aircraft in many nations, for example, and smoking in bars, restaurants, and other public facilities is also heavily regulated in many areas. Some regions ban smoking in such facilities altogether, while others may permit it only in certain circumstances.