Smoking at Trinidad and Tobago Airports (POS)

Trinidad and Tobago’s national tobacco law bans smoking only in enclosed spaces, which is why the terminal at the country’s main international gateway, Piarco International Airport (POS), is smoke-free inside; the open air outside the building remains a legal option for smokers.

For international travel through Trinidad and Tobago, Piarco (POS), about 30 km east of Port of Spain, is the airport that matters — it is the country’s sole international gateway on the island of Trinidad, handling both international and inter-island flights to Tobago.

How Trinidad and Tobago Airport Smoking Works

The Tobacco Control Act, 2009 bans smoking in any enclosed public place, enclosed workplace or public conveyance, and its Second Schedule specifically names public transportation terminals among the covered places:

“Enclosed” is a defined legal term — roofed and more than half-closed to outside air — so an unenclosed, open-air spot outside the terminal is not covered by the ban
The terminal interior is smoke-free, including the departure concourse and the airport’s one published lounge
No marked outdoor smoking area is published by the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
E-cigarettes have no specific law regulating them; the Ministry of Health has been drafting vaping legislation since 2025

Piarco International Airport (POS)

Trinidad and Tobago’s main airport, run by the state Airports Authority, sits in Piarco, about 30 km east of Port of Spain, and handles all the country’s international traffic through a single North Terminal opened in 2001. Piarco’s smoking option is the open air outside the building, landside — the terminal itself, including the concourse and the V.I.P. Flyer’s Lounge, is smoke-free, and no facility is published for after security.

Tips for Smokers at Trinidad and Tobago Airports

Piarco’s terminal is smoke-free throughout — plan to smoke landside, before you check in
No marked smoking spot is published; ask airport information or ground staff for the current location
E-cigarettes aren’t covered by a specific law; treat vaping the same as smoking until dedicated rules arrive
Nothing is confirmed airside, so a connecting passenger should not expect a smoking option after security

Trinidad and Tobago Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

Airport	After security	Indoor room	Outdoor area
Piarco International Airport (POS)	–	–	Yes

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Piarco International Airport (POS)?

Yes — in the open air outside the terminal building, landside. The Tobacco Control Act, 2009 bans smoking only in enclosed spaces, and Piarco’s North Terminal is an enclosed public transport terminal, so it is smoke-free inside.

Where can I smoke at Piarco Airport?

Outdoors, clear of the terminal doors. The Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago publishes no marked smoking area, so ask ground staff or airport information for the current spot.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Trinidad and Tobago airports?

There is no law specifically regulating e-cigarettes — the 2009 Tobacco Control Act defines tobacco products by tobacco-leaf content, and the Ministry of Health has been drafting dedicated vaping legislation since 2025. Vape in the same open-air area as cigarettes until that changes.

Is there smoking after security at Piarco Airport?

The departure concourse is an enclosed public transport terminal under the Tobacco Control Act, so it is smoke-free after security, and the Airports Authority’s site publishes no airside smoking area or lounge smoking room.

What is Trinidad and Tobago's airport smoking law?

The Tobacco Control Act, 2009 bans smoking in any enclosed public place, enclosed workplace or public conveyance, naming public transportation terminals directly in its Second Schedule. “Enclosed” means roofed and more than half-closed to outside air, so unenclosed, open-air ground is outside the ban.