Zambia Airport Smoking Areas

By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Yes — you can smoke at Zambia’s airports, and at the two international gateways you can do it after security. Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International (LUN) has a designated indoor smoking room airside, after immigration; Livingstone Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (LVI), the Victoria Falls gateway on the Zambian side, has a smoking room in the international departures area; and Ndola (NLA) in the Copperbelt keeps its smoking outdoors, away from the terminal entrances. Every airport also has outdoor smoking landside.

The Major Airports

Kenneth Kaunda International (LUN). Lusaka’s main airport, named after Zambia’s first president; the new terminal opened in 2021. Airside after immigration, the Pearl Lounge (Terminal 2, 2nd floor near Gate 4) has a separate smoking room, and travellers report a further smoking room in the duty-free area — look for the side entrance, as the front door is often locked. Outdoor smoking areas sit away from the entrances landside. Major connections include Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dubai and Istanbul.

Livingstone Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (LVI). Southern tourist gateway to Victoria Falls. A designated smoking room sits in the international departures area, airside — on the international terminal’s first floor, named by the Sleeping in Airports guide to Livingstone in its March 2026 update — with further outdoor areas outside the compact terminal.

Ndola Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International (NLA). Copperbelt region, in the terminal that opened in 2021. Smoking is at the designated outdoor areas away from the entrances; clearing security means exiting to smoke.

Tips for Smokers at Zambian Airports

  • Lusaka and Livingstone let you smoke after security; Ndola is outdoors only
  • Lusaka at 1,140m elevation has pleasant climate most of the year
  • Livingstone hotter — bring water in summer
  • Cigarettes inexpensive in Zambia
  • For long-haul transit, route via Johannesburg or Addis Ababa

Zambia Airports Compared: Indoor, Outdoor & After Security

AirportAfter securityIndoor roomOutdoor area
Livingstone Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI)YesYesYes
Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)YesYesYes
Ndola Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA)––Yes

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke at Zambia airports?

Yes — Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International (LUN), the country’s primary gateway, has a designated indoor smoking room airside after immigration, including one inside the Pearl Lounge in Terminal 2. Livingstone Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (LVI), the tourist gateway to Victoria Falls from the Zambian side, has a smoking room in international departures, airside. Ndola (NLA) is outdoor-only, at the designated areas away from the terminal entrances.

Where can I smoke at Lusaka Airport (LUN)?

Airside, after immigration: the Pearl Lounge (Terminal 2, 2nd floor near Gate 4) has its own smoking room, and travellers report a further smoking room in the duty-free area. Before security, smoke outdoors in the areas away from the terminal entrances.

Where can I smoke at Livingstone Airport (LVI)?

In the smoking room in the international departures area, airside — on the international terminal’s first floor — or at the outdoor areas outside the compact terminal building. Confirm the current location with airport staff.

Are e-cigarettes and vapes allowed at Zambian airports?

Yes — vapes are treated like cigarettes, so use the airside smoking rooms at Lusaka and Livingstone or the outdoor areas at any Zambian airport. Zambia has limited specific regulation on e-cigarettes.

What should I expect at Zambian airports as a smoker?

Compact terminals: Lusaka and Livingstone keep a smoking room airside, and Ndola’s smoking is outdoors at the entrances. Lusaka’s elevation (1,140 m) makes the climate generally pleasant; Livingstone is hotter and lower, so bring water for daytime smoke breaks.