Sri Lanka Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Yes — Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Sri Lanka’s main international gateway, has an airside smoking room after immigration, so departing and transit passengers can smoke without leaving the secure zone. Sri Lanka bans smoking in enclosed public places, and airports are one of the few settings allowed a designated indoor room.

Where to Smoke at Colombo Airport (CMB)

The primary smoking room is inside the Flemingo Duty Free shop on the airside departure level, reached after you clear immigration and enter the duty-free zone. A second smoking area sits on the first floor next to Flemingo, near the Serendib Lounge (SriLankan Airlines’ lounge): take the escalator by duty free, turn left, and walk about 20 metres. The lounge itself is non-smoking — the smoking room is a separate enclosed facility. Arriving passengers have limited outdoor areas near the terminal entrance.

Sri Lanka’s Smoking Law

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act of 2006 bans smoking in public places, and specifically exempts designated smoking areas in airports and in hotels with 30 or more rooms. That exemption is why CMB is allowed its airside room even though indoor smoking is otherwise prohibited. Smoking outside the designated areas is not permitted and can result in a fine.

Vaping and E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes, vapes, and heated tobacco products are banned across Sri Lanka — their import, sale, and possession have been prohibited since 2016. Do not bring or use any vaping device at Colombo Airport; the designated smoking rooms are for cigarettes only.

Transit and Practical Tips

CMB currently operates from a single terminal, so the airside smoking room is easy to reach on a layover. A larger, JICA-funded Terminal 2 is under construction, with the new terminal expected to open around 2027–2028, so facilities are unchanged for now. Locations can shift during renovation work — follow terminal signage or ask staff if you cannot find the room.

Sri Lanka Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
CMB (CMB)YesYesYes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a smoking area at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport?

Yes — Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) has a smoking room inside the Flemingo Duty Free shop on the airside departure level, reached after clearing immigration. A second spot sits on the first floor near the Serendib Lounge.

Can you smoke inside Sri Lankan airports?

Yes — Colombo Airport provides a designated smoking spot within the duty-free zone airside, even though indoor smoking is otherwise banned in Sri Lankan public areas. Smoking anywhere else inside the terminal is not permitted and can result in fines.

Are there smoking areas after security at Colombo Airport?

Yes, the smoking area at Colombo Airport is located airside near the Flemingo Duty Free shop, so you do not need to exit the secure zone. Ask airport staff or follow signage if the exact location has changed during renovations.

Is vaping allowed at Sri Lanka airports?

Vaping is subject to Sri Lanka’s local tobacco regulations. To be safe, use the designated smoking area at Colombo Airport for e-cigarettes as well. Smoking or vaping outside designated spots may result in a fine.