Well, I got out anyway! Flew from Dublin to LHR then to Beijing from T5. When landed at T1 from Dublin got to T5 and was desperate for a cig! Didn't care... saw an exit in T5 that said "emergency exit", but saw people coming and going through it, so went out.
Don't know whether you can get a taxi or pull a car up on the road outside, was just interested in having a cig to be honest, and grateful for that!
re post from the Blimp. You must have had a lot of time between connections! When returning from Beijing, we were put on a bus to T1 and had no opportunity to have a cig!
BTW Beijing Airport has no smoking, but has smoking rooms!!!!!!!!! couldn't believe it. A room at most departure gates that is hermetically sealed and has air ducts to take the smoke out of that room.
Why can't other airports think of something like that. It doesn't bother the non smoking brigade as it is out of sight and smell! Way to go, justice for all!!