Find smoking areas at airports across Saudi Arabia. Select an airport below for terminal-specific locations, regulations, and tips.
Saudi Arabia Airport Smoking Regulations
Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Smoking Law, enacted through Royal Decree M/56 in 2015, prohibits smoking in enclosed public places including government buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and public transport. However, the law mandates that airports provide designated smoking rooms for passengers. All four major Saudi airports — Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam — maintain indoor smoking rooms with ventilation systems in their departure areas.
Tobacco products in Saudi Arabia carry a 100% excise tax introduced in 2017 as part of broader health initiatives. E-cigarettes and vaping devices became legal in 2019 after a multi-year ban was lifted, and they are subject to the same designated-area rules as conventional cigarettes. Smoking outside designated areas at Saudi airports can result in fines under the Anti-Smoking Law.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes public health campaigns aimed at reducing smoking rates, but airport smoking rooms remain available to serve the needs of travelers passing through the Kingdom’s busy hubs.
Tips for Smokers at Saudi Airports
- All major Saudi airports have indoor smoking rooms — you do not need to go outside
- During Hajj and Umrah seasons, airports in Jeddah and Medina become extremely crowded, and smoking rooms fill up quickly
- Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, making outdoor smoking uncomfortable at best
- Tobacco prices are high due to the 100% excise tax — consider buying duty-free
- E-cigarettes are legal but must only be used in designated smoking areas
- Lighters are generally allowed in carry-on luggage but check with your airline