Smoking at Iran Airports (IKA)

Tehran Imam Khomeini — Iran’s main international gateway — has traveller-reported smoking rooms airside in both boarding wings of the main terminal, plus open-air areas outside the building. The firmer rule for travellers is on vaping: e-cigarettes are banned nationwide.

For international travel through Iran, Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) is the airport that matters; Mehrabad handles domestic flights.

How Iranian Airport Smoking Works

Iran prohibits smoking in enclosed public places, with variable enforcement:

Traveller-reported airside smoking rooms at Tehran IKA, in both boarding wings of the main terminal (not officially published)
Outdoor areas outside the terminal entrances (landside) — the reliable fallback
E-cigarettes and vapes are banned nationwide (sale and use) — do not bring one
Transit passengers report using the airside rooms without exiting through immigration

The Hub

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA). Iran’s main international gateway. Travellers consistently report enclosed smoking rooms airside in both the eastern and western boarding wings of the main terminal, plus a café and business-lounge smoking spot near passport control and a smoking room in the CIP lounge. These are traveller-reported rather than officially published, so treat signage and ground staff as the on-the-day authority; the open-air areas outside the terminal are the certain option. The separate Salam Terminal has no documented smoking room. Vaping is firmly prohibited nationwide.

Tips for Smokers at Iranian Airports

Tehran IKA’s airside smoking rooms are in the main terminal’s boarding wings — traveller-reported, so ask staff if a room isn’t where expected
Do not bring a vape to Iran — e-cigarettes are banned nationwide
Departing from the Salam Terminal: smoke at the outdoor areas before security (no room documented there)
Landside, the open-air areas outside the terminal entrances are the most reliable spot

Iran Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

Airport	After security	Indoor room	Outdoor area
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)	Yes	Yes	Yes

Last updated: July 10, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA)?

Yes — travellers report designated smoking rooms airside in both boarding wings of the main terminal, plus open-air areas outside the terminal entrances. The rooms are traveller-reported rather than officially published, so the outdoor areas landside are the reliable fallback.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes legal in Iran?

No — Iran prohibits the sale and use of e-cigarettes and vapes nationwide. Bringing a vape into Iran is legally risky; do not vape at the airport.

Is there smoking after security at Tehran IKA Airport?

Yes — travellers report enclosed smoking rooms past security in both the eastern and western boarding wings of the main terminal, plus a smoking room in the CIP lounge. They are traveller-reported and locations can shift, so ask airline ground staff or the information desk; the outdoor areas landside are the fallback.

Where can I smoke at Tehran IKA Airport?

Airside, travellers report smoking rooms in the main terminal’s eastern and western boarding wings, several fitted with TVs. Landside, use the open-air areas outside the terminal entrances, away from the doors.

Does Iran allow smoking in airports?

Iran bans smoking in enclosed public places, and enforcement varies — Tehran IKA runs traveller-reported airside smoking rooms in practice, and outdoor smoking landside is routine. Vaping is the firmer rule: e-cigarettes are banned nationwide.