Yes, you can smoke at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) — the airport lists a designated enclosed smoking room airside after security as a passenger amenity, and there is outdoor smoking space landside outside the terminal building.
Astana’s airport (its IATA code changed from TSE to NQZ in 2020) is Kazakhstan’s main gateway in the capital, with two terminals: T1 for international flights and T2 for domestic services.
Where to Smoke
The official airport website lists a designated enclosed smoking room airside, after security, as a passenger amenity. Travellers report airside smoking areas in both terminals — in T1 behind the main stairs leading to the upper floor, and in T2 on the 2nd floor. Treat these exact locations as traveller-reported, since the room itself is the officially listed facility, and follow the airport’s signage to find the nearest one on the day.
Landside, smoking is permitted outside the terminal building. Step away from the entrances to the designated outdoor space before lighting up.
Vaping
Kazakhstan bans the import, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes under criminal liability, so carrying a vape through the airport is risky. Leave vaping detail to the country guide and rely on the designated smoking room for tobacco airside.
Summary table
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor smoking room airside | Yes | Officially listed amenity, after security |
| Outdoor landside | Yes | Outside the terminal building |
| Vaping | Banned | E-cigarettes prohibited nationwide; carrying one is risky |
For Kazakhstan’s airport smoking rules and the vape ban, see our Kazakhstan airport smoking guide.