Yes, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) has an enclosed smoking room inside the airside Bidvest Premier Lounge. Outside the terminal building, landside, smoking is also permitted in the open air under South Africa’s Tobacco Products Control Act.
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, renamed from Port Elizabeth International in February 2021 to honour the anti-colonial resistance leader Chief Dawid Stuurman, serves Gqeberha through a single terminal about ten minutes from the city centre.
Indoor Smoking — Bidvest Premier Lounge (Airside)
The Bidvest Premier Lounge sits airside in the domestic departures hall: clear security and follow the signs up to the first floor. Its own facilities list, published on the lounge’s booking page, includes a smoking room alongside a view of the apron, complimentary light meals and snacks, beverages, PressReader, TV and Wi-Fi, across 70 seats. It is open to any passenger regardless of airline or ticket class, per ACSA’s own lounge listing — book online (around R255, valid for two hours before departure) or pay at the door (around R283), or use the short walk-in rate for a quick visit. It operates Monday to Saturday 05:30–20:00 and Sunday 07:00–20:15, with hours subject to change around the flight schedule.
Outside the Terminal (Landside)
South Africa’s Tobacco Products Control Act restricts smoking in enclosed public spaces; it does not restrict the open air. That is the basis for smoking outside the terminal building at PLZ, landside — the same legal default already established across South Africa’s airports. No airport-specific source confirms a marked, signed or designated spot, so treat this as the general legal default rather than a confirmed facility.
Vaping
Vaping is generally treated the same as smoking at South African airports. Use the Bidvest Premier Lounge smoking room airside, or the open air outside the terminal, landside.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bidvest Premier Lounge (airside, after security) | Yes | Paid access, any passenger; smoking room listed as a lounge feature |
| Outside the terminal (landside) | Yes | Open-air default under South Africa’s Tobacco Products Control Act; no marked area confirmed |
| Rest of the terminal (departures/arrivals halls) | No | Non-smoking indoors outside the lounge |
| Vaping | Yes | Same areas as cigarettes |
For South Africa airport smoking rules, vaping rules, and other general info, see our South Africa smoking guide.