--- title: "Smoking at Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi) – AUH" canonical: "https://www.airportsmokingzones.com/uae/auh-smoking-at-abu-dhabi-international-airport/" language: "en-us" description: "Smoke at Zayed International Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi: air-conditioned smoking rooms airside in Terminal A — one per pier, plus Etihad and Pearl lounge rooms." lastmod: "2026-11-07T00:00:00Z" --- # Smoking at Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi) – AUH Yes, Zayed International Airport (AUH) has enclosed air-conditioned smoking rooms airside in Terminal A — one in each pier after passport control — plus dedicated smoking rooms in the Etihad Business Class Lounge and the Pearl Lounge. Terminal A is the airport’s only operational terminal, so every option is inside this one building. Zayed International Airport — renamed from Abu Dhabi International Airport on 9 February 2024, and still widely called Abu Dhabi Airport — is the main hub for Etihad Airways. When operations moved to the new Terminal A (the Midfield Terminal) in November 2023, all flights and lounges shifted into this single building. The former Terminals 1 and 2 are permanently closed and the old Terminal 3 is no longer in passenger use, so the smoking guidance below applies entirely to Terminal A. ## Airport Layout Zayed International Airport now operates from a single terminal: - **Terminal A (Midfield Terminal)** — Opened November 2023, this is the airport’s only passenger terminal, handling all flights and all Etihad Airways operations. At around 780,000 square metres it is one of the largest airport terminals in the world, with gates spread across several piers (A, B, C and D). Immigration, security and every lounge sit inside this building. ## Smoking Rooms in Terminal A Terminal A has enclosed, air-conditioned smoking rooms airside, after passport control — one in each pier. Travellers report rooms near **Gates B8, C22 and D38**, with some built as glass-walled cubicles right on the concourse. Because a large terminal is easy to get turned around in, follow the pier signage or ask a gate agent for the nearest room; the gate numbers travellers describe are a starting point, and locations can shift. The rooms are free, well-ventilated, and include seating and ashtrays. Smoking anywhere else inside the terminal is not permitted. ## Lounge Smoking Rooms Two airside lounges in Terminal A offer their own indoor smoking rooms: - **Etihad Business Class Lounge** — A dedicated smoking room on Level 6, furnished with Chesterfield sofas. Access comes with an eligible Etihad Business Class ticket or status. - **Pearl Lounge** — On Departure Level 3 at the beginning of **Pier D**, this lounge is open 24 hours to lounge-membership cardholders and to paying guests at AED 265 for three hours, subject to availability, and has an indoor smoking area with high-top tables. It is the main independent lounge option for travellers connecting without an airline lounge. For a longer layover, either lounge lets you smoke, eat and rest in one place rather than shuttling back to a concourse cubicle. ## Connecting Through Abu Dhabi The smoking rooms are all airside, which makes AUH easy for transit passengers. On an Etihad connection or any international-to-international transfer you can reach a pier smoking room without clearing immigration or leaving the secure zone — smoke, then head to your onward gate. If your journey continues on to the UAE’s larger hub, our guide to [smoking at Dubai International Airport (DXB)](https://www.airportsmokingzones.com/uae/dxb-dubai-dubai-international-airport-smoking-zones/) covers the smoking rooms in every Dubai terminal. ## Summary | Area | Smoking Allowed | Type | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Terminal A piers | Yes | Indoor rooms | Airside after passport control — one per pier (travellers describe rooms near Gates B8, C22, D38) | | General terminal areas | No | — | Smoke-free; use the pier smoking rooms | | Etihad Business Class Lounge | Yes | Indoor room | Dedicated smoking room on Level 6 | | Pearl Lounge | Yes | Indoor area | Departure Level 3, beginning of Pier D; 24 hours; lounge card or AED 265 for three hours | Tobacco use in the UAE is regulated under Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 on Tobacco Control. For UAE-wide smoking rules, vaping rules and other general info, see our [UAE smoking guide](https://www.airportsmokingzones.com/uae/). ## Useful Links - [Pearl Lounge — Zayed International Airport](https://www.zayedinternationalairport.ae/shop-dine-and-experience/hotel-and-lounges/lounges/pearl-lounge) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Are there smoking rooms inside Zayed International Airport (AUH)? Yes. Zayed International Airport (AUH), the airport formerly named Abu Dhabi International, has enclosed air-conditioned smoking rooms airside in Terminal A — its only operational terminal. There is one in each pier after passport control, free to use. ### Where are the smoking rooms in Terminal A? Terminal A has one enclosed smoking room in each pier, airside after passport control. Travellers report rooms near Gates B8, C22 and D38, some as glass-walled cubicles. Exact locations can shift, so follow the pier signposting or ask a staff member. ### Can I smoke in the lounges at Abu Dhabi Airport? Yes. The Etihad Business Class Lounge has a dedicated smoking room on Level 6, and the Pearl Lounge (open 24 hours on Departure Level 3 at the beginning of Pier D; lounge-membership cards, or AED 265 for three hours subject to availability) has an indoor smoking area with high-top tables. Both are airside in Terminal A. ### Can I vape at Abu Dhabi Airport? E-cigarettes are legal for adults in the UAE, and the open terminal is vape-free like any other smoke-free space. Zayed International Airport publishes no separate rule on vaping inside its smoking rooms, so ask staff at the door before using one in the pier rooms. ### Can I smoke while connecting through Abu Dhabi on Etihad? Yes. The smoking rooms are airside, so on an Etihad or international-to-international connection you can smoke without leaving the secure zone or clearing immigration. Look for the nearest pier smoking room between flights. ### Can I smoke at Zayed International Airport without leaving the secure zone? Yes — the Terminal A smoking rooms are airside, one in each pier after passport control, and the Etihad Business Class and Pearl lounges have smoking rooms of their own, so a departing or connecting passenger can smoke without leaving the secure zone.