Ecuador has a strict indoor smoking ban, and Quito’s modern airport reflects it: no airside or indoor smoking, with smoking confined to outdoor areas outside the terminal. Vaping is treated the same way.
For international travel through Ecuador, Quito (UIO) is the airport that matters; Guayaquil is the other main gateway.
How Ecuadorian Airport Smoking Works
Ecuador’s tobacco law bans indoor smoking in public places, with no airport exemption:
- No indoor smoking and no airside smoking at Quito
- Smoking is only at outdoor areas outside the terminal, landside
- Vaping is treated like smoking — outdoor areas only
- Connecting passengers must clear immigration and exit to smoke, then re-clear security
The Hub
Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). Quito’s airport (opened 2013), one of Ecuador’s two main gateways. The official site lists no smoking facility — there is no indoor room or airside terrace. Smoking is outdoors landside.
Tips for Smokers at Ecuadorian Airports
- Quito has no airside smoking — plan to smoke before security or accept a no-smoking layover
- The smoking areas are outdoors, outside the terminal building, landside
- Don’t expect an airside terrace — there isn’t one
- Vaping is banned indoors and airside too — outdoor only
Ecuador Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security
| Airport | After security | Indoor room | Outdoor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) | – | – | Yes |