Yes, Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) has designated indoor smoking rooms in the terminal building. Ventilated, air-conditioned smoking rooms are available in the departures area after security, and outdoor smoking is also permitted outside the terminal entrance before security.
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 several designated smoking rooms after the security checkpoint, distributed through the departures and gate areas. The rooms are enclosed, air-conditioned, and ventilated. Because the terminal is compact compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, there are fewer rooms overall, but they are within easy walking distance of the gates — follow the signs or ask at an information desk to find the nearest one. All smoking rooms are airside, so you can smoke during a layover without leaving the secure zone.
Before security, you can also step outside the terminal building where outdoor smoking is permitted in designated areas 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.
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 |
For UAE airport smoking rules, the vape ban, and other general info, see our UAE smoking guide.