Nepal bans smoking in public places but specifically allows airports to designate ventilated smoking areas, which is why Kathmandu — the country’s only international gateway — has a designated airside smoking area plus a lounge smoking room. Vaping, however, is prohibited in public places, so leave the e-cigarette packed away.
For international travel through Nepal, Kathmandu (KTM) is the airport that matters.
How Nepali Airport Smoking Works
Nepal’s Tobacco Product (Control and Regulation) Act bans smoking in public places but carves out an airport exception:
- An airport manager may designate a ventilated smoking area — Kathmandu has one airside
- The landside Executive Lounge has an enclosed indoor smoking room
- Vaping is prohibited in public places including airports — there are no vaping facilities
- The domestic terminal has an outdoor smoking area
The Hub
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Nepal’s only international gateway. Travellers report a designated smoking area in the international departure/gate-hold hall (on the far left when facing the gates), after immigration and security. The Executive (Radisson) Lounge has an enclosed indoor smoking room on the 2nd floor (before the final security check, lounge access required). The airside Horizon Lounge is non-smoking.
Tips for Smokers at Nepali Airports
- Kathmandu has an airside smoking area in international departures — you can smoke without leaving the secure zone
- The Executive Lounge smoking room is landside, before the final security check
- Vaping is banned in public places in Nepal — don’t rely on the smoking rooms for e-cigarettes
- The domestic terminal’s smoking area is outdoors
Nepal Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security
| Airport | After security | Indoor room | Outdoor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) | Yes | Yes | Yes |