Yes — the UAE is one of the most smoker-friendly places in the world to fly through, with air-conditioned indoor smoking rooms after security at Dubai International, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Maktoum. Dubai International (DXB) has ventilated rooms in all three terminals, including branded Winston and Ploom lounges right by the gates; Abu Dhabi’s Terminal A (AUH) has one room per pier after passport control; and Sharjah (SHJ) confines smoking to its designated indoor rooms airside — smoking anywhere else on its premises, including outdoors, is illegal. At these airports you can light up near your gate without ever leaving the secure zone.
Smoking Regulations at UAE Airports
The UAE’s Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 on Tobacco Control prohibits smoking in enclosed public places but requires airports to provide designated smoking areas. All four major UAE international airports — Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH), Sharjah (SHJ), and Al Maktoum (DWC) — offer designated indoor smoking rooms for passengers. These air-conditioned facilities are located near departure gates and transit areas.
UAE airports are among the most smoker-friendly in the world, with clean, comfortable, and well-ventilated facilities available to all passengers at no charge. E-cigarettes and vaping have been legal in the UAE since April 2019 and are permitted inside the designated smoking rooms.
What to Expect at UAE Airports
Smoking rooms at UAE airports are enclosed and air-conditioned, with ventilation systems that keep them comfortable. They are available after security in both departure and transit areas, so you do not need to leave the secure zone. The quality and number of rooms vary by airport — Dubai International and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have the most extensive facilities, while Sharjah and Al Maktoum offer more basic but functional rooms.
Best Airports for Smokers in the UAE
- Dubai International (DXB) — Indoor smoking rooms in all three terminals, including the transit area. Terminal 1 has the Camel lounge between Gates D12 and D13 and a Winston room near Gate D1; Terminal 3 has a room near Gate A2, a Winston lounge near Gates B3/B7, a Ploom lounge near Gates B25/B27, and rooms near Gates C9 and C23. Terminal 2 has a free designated area in the departures and boarding-gate area.
- Abu Dhabi — Zayed International (AUH) — All flights use the new Terminal A (opened November 2023; the airport was renamed Zayed International in 2024), with a smoking room in each gate pier and lounge smoking rooms in the Etihad Business Class and Pearl lounges. Etihad Airways hub.
- Sharjah International (SHJ) — Air Arabia’s home hub, about 30 minutes from Dubai. Indoor smoking rooms available in the compact single-terminal building; smoking anywhere else on the premises, including outdoors, is illegal. A budget-friendly alternative to DXB.
- Al Maktoum International (DWC) — Dubai’s second airport in Jebel Ali, currently handling limited passenger flights. Air-conditioned indoor smoking rooms both landside and after security in the single passenger terminal, plus an outdoor smoking area by the entrance. Planned to become the world’s largest airport when fully built out.
- Ras Al Khaimah International (RKT) — Air Arabia’s other UAE hub, in operation since 2014. Indoor smoking rooms are provided in both the Arrival Terminal and Departure Terminal buildings; the business lounge itself is listed as non-smoking.
Al Ain International (AAN) and Fujairah International (FJR) do not have any documented smoking facility.
Tips for Smokers at UAE Airports
- Dubai International, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Maktoum have smoking facilities after security — no need to leave the secure zone at these four
- Smoking rooms are air-conditioned, ventilated, and free to use
- Vaping and e-cigarettes are allowed only inside designated smoking rooms
- Several premium airline lounges include dedicated smoking sections
- Duty-free tobacco prices are competitive across all UAE airports
- For the best experience during long layovers, Dubai International and Abu Dhabi offer the most smoking rooms
- Smoking outside designated areas can result in fines under UAE federal law
UAE Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security
At a glance — which UAE airports let you smoke after security, in an indoor room, or in an outdoor area:
| Airport | After security | Indoor room | Outdoor area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking at Al Ain International Airport – AAN | – | – | – |
| Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dubai International Airport (DXB) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smoking at Fujairah International Airport – FJR | – | – | – |
| Smoking at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport – RKT | – | Yes | – |
| Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) | Yes | Yes | – |
| Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) | Yes | Yes | – |