Yes, you can smoke at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) — the airport’s official website still lists two indoor smoking rooms after security in the international terminal, opposite boarding gates 5 and 9. A national ordinance in force since 30 December 2025 has banned designated smoking areas in public places, removing the legal basis for these rooms, so their status is uncertain; check on-site before relying on them.
Hazrat Shahjalal International is the main hub for Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the busiest airport in Bangladesh, serving the capital, Dhaka. Much of its traffic is direct point-to-point flying — migrant-worker routes to the Gulf, Malaysia and Singapore, plus regional links to India and Southeast Asia — so most passengers pass through the international terminal once, in one direction.
International Departures — Smoking Rooms (After Security)
According to the official hsia.gov.bd services page, there are two indoor airside smoking rooms in the international departures concourse, both past the security check:
- One opposite boarding gate 5, on the south side of the boarding-bridge corridor
- One opposite boarding gate 9, on the north side
Both are enclosed rooms within the sterile departures area, reachable only after you have cleared immigration and security. There is no documented outdoor or landside designated smoking area at the airport, so once you are through screening these two rooms are the only listed options.
The December 2025 Ban — What It Means
The Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, in force since 30 December 2025, abolishes designated smoking areas in all public places and public transport. On paper this removes the legal basis for the two airport rooms. At the time of writing the airport’s own services page had not been updated and still listed them, and no independent traveller report has confirmed a closure either way — so treat the rooms as “listed but at risk.” If they are shut, the practical alternative is to smoke landside before entering the terminal or after collecting bags on arrival.
Vaping and E-Cigarettes
The same ordinance makes the import, sale and use of e-cigarettes, vapes and heated-tobacco products a criminal offence in Bangladesh. This applies from the moment you land, not just inside the terminal. Do not bring a vape or heated-tobacco device into the country, whether in your carry-on or checked baggage.
Terminal 3
A large new Terminal 3 has been built and is reported to be around 98% complete, but it is not yet open to passengers. Its launch has repeatedly slipped and is now targeted for late 2026 or early 2027, after an extended operational-readiness test run. No smoking facilities have been published for Terminal 3; until it opens, all departing international passengers continue to use the existing terminals and the two rooms above.
Transit and Layovers
For an international-to-international connection you remain airside and can walk to the smoking rooms opposite gates 5 and 9 without re-clearing immigration, subject to the December 2025 ban. If you want to smoke landside instead, you must pass through immigration and then be re-screened on the way back into departures — practical only on a long layover, and not worth it on a tight connection. Facilities are basic and can be crowded at peak Gulf-departure banks, so allow extra time.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor smoking rooms (airside) | Listed (official) | Opposite gates 5 & 9, after security — a Dec 2025 ban may close them |
| Outdoor / landside | None documented | No designated area published |
| Terminal 3 | Not yet open | Launch slipped to late 2026 / early 2027; no info published |
| Vapes / e-cigarettes | No — illegal | Import, sale and use are criminal offences |
For Bangladesh’s airport smoking rules and the vape ban, see our Bangladesh airport guide.
Useful Links
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport — smoking rooms (official)