Kazakhstan permits designated airport smoking rooms, so Almaty — the country’s largest airport — keeps an indoor smoking room after security plus lounge smoking rooms, even after opening a new international terminal in 2024. The catch for vapers: Kazakhstan has banned e-cigarettes nationwide.
For international travel through Kazakhstan, Almaty (ALA) is the airport that matters.
How Kazakh Airport Smoking Works
Kazakhstan bans indoor smoking in public places but allows designated airport smoking rooms:
- An indoor smoking room after security in Almaty’s international departures
- Extime lounge smoking rooms (lounge access)
- Outdoor designated areas landside
- E-cigarettes, vapes and heated tobacco are banned nationwide (sale, import, distribution) since 2024 — heavy penalties
The Hub
Almaty International Airport (ALA). The largest airport in Kazakhstan, with a new international Terminal 2 opened in 2024. Travellers report the indoor airside smoking room downstairs near Gate 302 in international departures; the location may have shifted with the new terminal, so follow the signage. The Extime business and VIP lounges have dedicated smoking rooms. Outdoor designated areas are landside.
Tips for Smokers at Kazakh Airports
- Almaty has an airside indoor smoking room — you can smoke without leaving the secure zone
- The Extime lounges also have smoking rooms if you have access
- Do not bring a vape to Kazakhstan — e-cigarettes are banned nationwide with heavy penalties
- The airside room may have moved with the 2024 terminal — ask staff if you can’t find it
Kazakhstan Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security
| Airport | After security | Indoor room | Outdoor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almaty International Airport (ALA) | Yes | Yes | Yes |