Yes, you can smoke at Almaty International Airport (ALA). There is an indoor smoking room after security in the international terminal, plus smoking rooms inside the premium lounges and outdoor designated areas landside.
Almaty International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Kazakhstan. A new international Terminal 2 opened in 2024, significantly expanding the airport’s passenger facilities.
Where to Smoke
- Indoor airside smoking room — There is an indoor smoking room after security in international departures. Travellers report it downstairs near Gate 302 in the new terminal, though the exact location may have shifted with the 2024 terminal, so follow the signage on arrival.
- Lounge smoking rooms — The Extime business and VIP lounges have dedicated smoking rooms for guests with lounge access.
- Outdoor landside — Designated outdoor smoking areas are available outside the terminals, before security.
Kazakhstan permits designated airport smoking rooms.
Vaping
IMPORTANT: Kazakhstan has banned the sale, import and distribution of e-cigarettes, vapes and heated tobacco nationwide (effective 2024), with heavy penalties; supply is black-market only. Do not bring a vape into the country. The airport smoking rooms are for combustible cigarettes only.
Summary table
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor smoking room airside | Yes | International departures, near Gate 302 (reported) |
| Lounge smoking rooms | Yes | Extime business/VIP lounges, lounge access required |
| Outdoor landside | Yes | Designated areas outside the terminals |
| Vapes | Banned | Prohibited nationwide |
For Kazakhstan’s airport smoking rules and the vape ban, see our Kazakhstan airport guide.