Yes, you can smoke at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). There is a designated airside smoking lounge after security, plus designated outdoor smoking areas landside outside the terminals.
JKIA is the hub of Kenya Airways and the busiest airport in East Africa, handling most of the region’s long-haul traffic. Passenger operations run through the connected Terminals 1A–1E.
Where to Smoke
The Burgundy Lounge is JKIA’s official designated smoking lounge. It sits airside, after security, near Gate 14 (beside Java House) — confirmed by the Kenya Airports Authority. This is the one reliably documented airside smoking spot, so head there if you need to smoke between connections.
Travellers also report smoking spots near Gates 5 and 22, though these are traveller-reported rather than officially listed — confirm with staff or signage on the day.
Landside, there are designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal buildings, which you can use before clearing security. Kenya’s Tobacco Control Act permits designated airport smoking areas, so smoke only in these marked spots and not elsewhere inside the terminals.
Vaping
IMPORTANT: Since 30 July 2025, Kenya bans the import of all tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes and e-cigarettes. Customs at JKIA may confiscate devices and e-liquid on arrival, so do not bring a vape into the country. While e-cigarette use is otherwise largely unregulated within Kenya, the import ban is the real, practical risk for arriving travellers.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airside smoking lounge | Yes | Burgundy Lounge, near Gate 14 (by Java House) |
| Outdoor landside areas | Yes | Designated spots outside the terminals |
| Gates 5 & 22 | Reported | Traveller-reported, not officially listed |
| Vapes / e-cigarettes | Warning | Import banned since 30 July 2025 — may be confiscated |
For Kenya’s airport smoking rules and the vape import ban, see our Kenya airport guide.