Yes, you can smoke at Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport (POM) in the open air on the landside, outside either terminal building and well clear of the doors. There is no indoor, airside, or designated outdoor smoking area in the International or the Domestic terminal, so the landside kerb before check-in is where smokers have their last cigarette.
Operated by the National Airports Corporation, Jacksons is Papua New Guinea’s principal gateway, handling international and domestic services from two adjacent terminals a short walk apart. Both follow national tobacco law, which keeps every enclosed public space non-smoking, so the practical approach is to step outside before you enter to check in and to treat the airside portion of either terminal as a smoke-free stretch through to boarding.
International Terminal
The recently renovated International Terminal handles overseas arrivals and departures, with duty-free shopping, currency exchange, cafés, and the Air Niugini Paradise Lounge on Level 2 airside. No smoking area is provided in the public concourse, at the gates, or in the lounge, which lists no smoking facility of its own. Once you clear immigration and security here there is no way back outside, so the airside wait is completely smoke-free — factor that into connection times.
Domestic Terminal
The Domestic Terminal, a short walk from International, serves Air Niugini and PNG Air services around the country. It is simpler, with a snack bar and its own airside Air Niugini Paradise Lounge, and it is smoke-free throughout in the same way. Neither the landside check-in hall nor the airside departure area has a designated smoking spot. Travellers connecting from a domestic flight to an international departure change terminals landside, which is the moment to step outside for a cigarette before re-entering and clearing security again.
Where to Smoke
The only practical option is the open air on the landside, outside either terminal building. Papua New Guinea’s Tobacco Control Act 2016 makes all enclosed public places smoke-free, and there is no signposted or provided smoking point at the airport, so keep well clear of the doorways, covered walkways, and pick-up lanes where other travellers gather. Allow time to smoke before you enter to check in; once you pass security in either terminal, plan for a smoke-free journey to the gate.
Vaping
E-cigarettes and vapes are banned across Papua New Guinea, with import, sale, and use prohibited nationwide since 13 May 2025 and enforced by Customs. Do not bring or use a vape at the airport or anywhere in the country.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed |
|---|---|
| After security (airside) | No |
| Indoor lounges | No |
| Designated outdoor area | No |
| Landside, open air outside the terminal | Yes |
For Papua New Guinea’s tobacco and vaping laws, see our Papua New Guinea airport smoking guide.