Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is the home hub of Air Arabia and a popular budget alternative to Dubai International, located about 30 minutes from central Dubai. Despite Sharjah’s reputation as the most conservative emirate in the UAE, the airport provides indoor smoking rooms for passengers in line with UAE federal regulations.
التدخين في مطار الشارقة الدولي - SHJ
Smoking Policy at Sharjah Airport
Sharjah Airport follows UAE Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 on Tobacco Control, which prohibits smoking in enclosed public areas but mandates designated smoking rooms in airports. The airport provides ventilated indoor smoking rooms in its terminal building. Smoking outside these rooms is not allowed and can result in fines.
Airport Layout
Sharjah Airport operates from a single terminal building that handles both domestic and international flights. The terminal is compact and easy to navigate compared to the much larger Dubai International. Air Arabia dominates the schedule, with flights to destinations across the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. The airport serves around 16 million passengers annually.
Smoking Rooms
The terminal has designated smoking rooms available after the security checkpoint in the departures area. The rooms are enclosed, air-conditioned, and ventilated. Given the smaller size of the airport compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, there are fewer smoking rooms, but they are within easy walking distance of the gates.
Before security, you can also step outside the terminal building where outdoor smoking is possible in front of the departures entrance.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
E-cigarettes have been legal in the UAE since April 2019. At Sharjah Airport, vaping is only allowed inside the designated smoking rooms. Using a vape device in the check-in hall, departure lounge, or duty-free area is prohibited.
Tips for Smokers at Sharjah Airport
- The airport is compact — smoking rooms are a short walk from any gate
- Air Arabia flights often depart in clusters, so smoking rooms may get busy at peak times
- Sharjah is the strictest emirate for alcohol, but smoking rules follow standard UAE federal law
- Duty-free tobacco is available at competitive prices
- If you are connecting from Sharjah to Dubai, allow time for the 30-minute road transfer
- Vaping devices must only be used inside the designated smoking rooms
Summary
| Area | Smoking Allowed | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departures (after security) | Yes | Indoor rooms | Ventilated and air-conditioned |
| Outside terminal entrance | Yes | Outdoor | Before security only |
| General terminal areas | No | — | Fines apply under UAE Federal Law |
| Check-in hall | No | — | No smoking or vaping |