Pakistan Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Pakistan’s airports vary: the general terminals are legally smoke-free, but in practice the bigger hubs keep airside smoking rooms inside their lounges, while Lahore is outdoor-only. There’s a real law-versus-practice gap — the 2002 ordinance makes public places smoke-free, yet lounge smoking rooms persist.

The three airports that matter for international travel are Karachi (KHI), Islamabad (ISB) and Lahore (LHE).

How Pakistani Airport Smoking Works

Pakistan’s Prohibition of Smoking Ordinance 2002 makes public places smoke-free, and a 2009 amendment removed the allowance for designated smoking rooms — so legally the terminals should be 100% smoke-free. In practice:

  • Islamabad advertises enclosed smoking lounges plus an airside CIP-lounge smoking room
  • Karachi has smoking rooms inside certain airside lounges (Majestic, Marhaba); the terminal is smoke-free with a Rs 1,000 fine (2023 CAA ban)
  • Lahore is outdoor-only — no indoor or airside smoking
  • Vaping is legal to possess but should be confined to the designated areas

The Hubs

Islamabad International Airport (ISB). The modern capital gateway (opened 2018). The official site states there are enclosed smoking lounges in the terminal, plus a smoking room in the airside CIP lounge after security.

Jinnah International Airport (KHI), Karachi. The largest airport in Pakistan. Smoking after immigration is via the Majestic and Marhaba lounge smoking rooms (by pass); the general terminal is smoke-free with a Rs 1,000 fine.

Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE), Lahore. Outdoor-only — smoke at the landside kerb before security; the airside lounges are non-smoking.

Tips for Smokers at Pakistani Airports

  • Islamabad and Karachi have airside lounge smoking rooms — lounge access is the way to smoke after security
  • Lahore is outdoor-only — plan to smoke before security
  • The general terminals are smoke-free; Karachi enforces a Rs 1,000 fine
  • Vaping is legal to carry, but use the designated smoking areas and never vape onboard

Pakistan Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Islamabad International Airport (ISB)YesYesYes
Jinnah International Airport (KHI)YesYes–
Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE)––Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Pakistani airports?

It depends on the airport. Islamabad (ISB) advertises enclosed indoor smoking lounges plus an airside CIP-lounge smoking room. Karachi (KHI) has smoking rooms inside certain airside lounges (Majestic, Marhaba). Lahore (LHE) is outdoor-only. The general terminal at each is officially smoke-free.

Where can I smoke at Karachi Jinnah Airport (KHI)?

Only inside the designated smoking rooms of certain airside lounges after immigration — the Majestic Lounge and the Marhaba Lounge (by pass). The general terminal is smoke-free, with a Rs 1,000 fine under a 2023 CAA ban.

Where can I smoke at Islamabad Airport (ISB)?

The official airport site states there are enclosed smoking lounges in the terminal, and there is an airside smoking room in the CIP lounge after security (lounge access). Outdoor smoking is also possible landside before security.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Pakistani airports?

Vaping is legal to possess and use in Pakistan and isn’t covered by the 2002 tobacco ordinance, but treat it like smoking at airports — confine it to the designated smoking areas, carry devices in hand luggage, and never vape onboard.

Is smoking banned in Pakistani airport terminals?

Yes, in the general terminal. Pakistan’s 2002 smoking ordinance makes public places smoke-free, and a 2023 CAA circular banned smoking throughout the Karachi terminal (Rs 1,000 fine). In practice, some airside lounges still operate smoking rooms.