French Polynesia Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

French Polynesia keeps things easy for travelling smokers: its single international gateway sits in a tropical, partly open-air terminal where you can light up airside in a lounge smoking area and again at the open-air curb on the way in or out. Plan your cigarette around the Air Tahiti Nui lounge airside, and you are sorted.

The airport that matters here is Faa’a International Airport / Tahiti International Airport (PPT) in Papeete.

How French Polynesia Airport Smoking Works

French Polynesia has one airport built for international travel, so the rules are simple to follow. Airside, the only smoking option is a semi-enclosed area inside the Air Tahiti Nui lounge, fitted with glass doors, a plant wall and benches. Landside, smoking is open-air at the curb and forecourt outside the terminal.

French and local tobacco law applies: smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, which is why the airside option sits inside a ventilated, semi-enclosed lounge space rather than the main concourse. Vaping is legal and restricted the same way smoking is in enclosed public spaces, and disposable single-use vapes are banned, so carry a refillable device.

The Hub

Faa’a International Airport (PPT), known locally as Tahiti International Airport, is the sole gateway for the whole territory. Airside, lounge access opens up the semi-enclosed Air Tahiti Nui smoking area, reached with Poerava Business or Club Tiare Gold status, or by buying a paid Lounge Pass. Landside, the open-air curb and forecourt are where smokers gather, with no public smoking areas beyond the curb.

Tips for Smokers at Tahiti Airport

  • Have your last cigarette landside at the open-air curb before you clear security, since beyond the curb there is no landside smoking spot.
  • Airside, head for the Air Tahiti Nui lounge: its semi-enclosed smoking area with glass doors and a plant wall is the only after-security option.
  • No premium ticket? A paid Lounge Pass gets you into the lounge and its smoking area, so factor that cost in if you want to smoke after security.
  • Pack a refillable vape, as disposable single-use vapes are banned in French Polynesia.

French Polynesia Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Faa'a International Airport (PPT)Yes–Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Tahiti Faa'a Airport (PPT)?

Yes. After security you can smoke in the semi-enclosed smoking area inside the Air Tahiti Nui lounge, which has glass doors, a plant wall and benches. Landside, smoking is open-air at the curb and forecourt.

Is there a smoking area after security at Tahiti Airport?

Yes. The only after-security smoking option is a semi-enclosed area inside the Air Tahiti Nui lounge. You reach it with Poerava Business or Club Tiare Gold access, or a paid Lounge Pass. It is not a fully enclosed indoor room.

Where can I smoke before security at Tahiti Faa'a Airport?

Smoking before security is open-air at the curb and forecourt outside the terminal. There are no public smoking areas beyond the curb landside.

Can you vape at airports in French Polynesia?

Vaping is legal in French Polynesia and is restricted in enclosed public spaces the same way smoking is. Disposable single-use vapes are banned, so bring a refillable device.

Which airport in French Polynesia has smoking areas?

Faa’a International Airport, also known as Tahiti International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, is the territory’s sole international gateway. It offers lounge-access smoking airside plus open-air smoking landside at the curb.