Yes, you can smoke at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) — there are designated smoking areas after security on the Level 3 domestic departure floor, a smoking room at the international arrival level, and marked areas at the Level 1 arrival floor and outside the terminal.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is Sabah’s main gateway and the busiest airport in East Malaysia, handling close to eight million passengers a year through a single passenger building (Terminal 1) that serves both domestic and international flights. The airport keeps several designated smoking areas set out under Malaysia’s Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
Smoking Areas After Security (Domestic Departure)
Once you are through security on the departure side, the designated smoking areas are on Level 3, Domestic Departure — officially numbered 1 and 2 in the airport’s layout. These are the airside areas most departing travellers use before a flight.
Travellers also report a smoking spot near Gate B2 inside the terminal. If you are flying internationally and cannot find a marked area near your gate, ask airline ground staff or the information desk for the nearest one before you pass the point of no return.
Smoking Room at International Arrival
There is a designated smoking room on Level 3, at the international arrival level. If you have just landed on an international flight, this is the marked spot to use on your way through the terminal.
Arrival Level and Landside Areas
At the Level 1 arrival floor, there are further designated smoking areas (officially numbered 3, 4 and 5). Before security, on the departure side, smoking is at the outdoor areas outside the terminal building — step outside any entrance to a marked spot to light up.
Vaping
Vaping follows the same rules as smoking at BKI: use the designated smoking areas and the outdoor areas. Malaysia regulates vape and e-cigarette products under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, so keep devices for personal use and vape only in the marked areas.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| After security (domestic departure) | Yes | Level 3 designated areas (No. 1 & 2); spot near Gate B2 |
| International arrival | Yes | Smoking room on Level 3 |
| Arrival level (landside) | Yes | Level 1 designated areas (No. 3, 4 & 5) |
| Outdoor (landside) | Yes | Outside the terminal entrances |
For Malaysia’s airport smoking rules and vaping law, see our Malaysia airport guide.