Yes, you can smoke at Qassim’s Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport (ELQ) in the airside Hayyak Lounge’s designated smoking area, or outside the terminal building, landside, where Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Smoking Law permits smoking in the open air.
Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport serves Buraidah and the Al-Qassim Province in central Saudi Arabia, established in 1964 and renamed by royal decree in 2012.
Smoking Areas
After Security: Hayyak Lounge, Domestic Departure
The Hayyak Lounge in Qassim’s Domestic Departure area, near Gate 1, has a designated smoking area among its amenities. No smoking area is listed for the separate Hayyak Lounge serving International Departure, near Gate 3. Entry to either lounge is with a lounge-membership card or a paid booking.
Outside the Terminal (Landside)
Smoking is also permitted outside Qassim Airport’s terminal building, landside, where Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Smoking Law permits smoking in the open air. The law (Royal Decree M/56 of 1436H/2015) restricts smoking inside enclosed public-transport facilities, with isolated exceptions set out in its Implementing Regulations; that restriction does not extend to the open-air space outside the building.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Qassim Airport publishes no separate rule for e-cigarettes. Vaping is legal nationally in Saudi Arabia, so passengers connecting through Buraidah can vape in the open air outside the terminal, landside. The lounge publishes no vaping rule for the Domestic Departure Hayyak Lounge’s smoking area; ask the lounge staff.
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayyak Lounge, Domestic Departure (after security) | Yes | Indoor smoking area | Near Gate 1; lounge-membership card or paid booking |
| Hayyak Lounge, International Departure (after security) | No | — | No smoking area listed |
| Outside the terminal (landside) | Yes | Outdoor | Where Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Smoking Law permits smoking in the open air |
| Vaping | Yes | Outdoor | Legal nationally; the lounge publishes no vaping rule — ask the staff |
Qassim’s airside lounge and landside outdoor pattern matches Tabuk Airport, another Saudi regional airport with a Hayyak Lounge smoking area; connecting passengers can check our smoking during layovers guide for what to expect at a bigger hub.
For Saudi Arabia airport smoking rules, vaping rules and every other Saudi Arabia airport, see our Saudi Arabia airport smoking guide.