Yes, you can smoke at Chișinău International Airport (RMO) — after security, at an outdoor terrace on the upper level reached through the Aircafé. Travellers report the terrace across three separate visits in 2024 (George O. in August, Imre T. in September, Daniel in October, all via airportsmokers.com and smokingairports.com), consistently describing it as well sign-posted. Before security, a designated outdoor area outside the terminal entrance covers landside smoking. The terminal interior is smoke-free.
Chișinău International Airport is Moldova’s main airport, handling around 6 million passengers a year. Its IATA code changed from KIV to RMO on 18 January 2024, so tickets, apps and signage now show RMO; older references to KIV describe the same airport.
After Security: Terrace via the Aircafé
Three dated 2024 traveller reports place the smoking terrace on the upper level, reached by walking through the Aircafé, past security. Moldovan media (Moldova 1 and IPN, among others) reported in April 2025 that Moldova’s National Inspectorate for Technical Supervision had inspected the airport’s smoking area, after questions were raised locally about its construction permit, and confirmed it meets fire-safety requirements.
Before Security: Outside the Terminal Entrance
Landside, a designated outdoor area outside the terminal entrance covers smoking before check-in or right after arrival.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Moldova’s tobacco control law was amended, effective 24 June 2026, to extend indoor smoking restrictions to e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco devices in enclosed public spaces. Use the same two outdoor areas as for cigarettes; one 2022 traveller report noted no vaping was permitted anywhere inside the terminal.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terrace after security (upper level, via Aircafé) | Yes | Outdoor; three consistent 2024 traveller reports |
| Outdoor area, terminal entrance (before security) | Yes | Landside |
| Terminal interior | No | Smoke-free throughout |
| Vaping / e-cigarettes | Same two outdoor areas | Indoor vaping not permitted, per a 2022 traveller report and the 2026 law amendment |
For Moldova airport smoking rules and vaping law, see our Moldova airport guide.