Tel Aviv, Israel
Smoking policy at Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Warnings & Caveats
The smoking ban at Ben Gurion was reinstated once before after a court ruling, and health authorities are actively pushing to close the smoking rooms again. The situation may change with little notice. Connecting passengers who exit to smoke landside face full security re-screening at one of the world's most thorough security checkpoints. Allow at least 60-90 minutes minimum. Smoking anywhere other than designated areas is prohibited and subject to fines.
Ben Gurion Airport has a complicated and evolving smoking situation. After a full ban was enforced around 2020 following a court ruling, smoking areas were controversially reintroduced in 2023 and have been expanding since. The current situation as of early 2025 is that designated smoking cabins exist airside in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, though the policy has been contested by health authorities and could change again.
Before Security
Smoking before security is the most straightforward option at Ben Gurion. Designated outdoor areas are located outside the terminal buildings, and signage guides you to them. You must smoke outside before entering the building, as smoking is not permitted in any landside indoor areas.
Head outside the terminal entrance before check-in for the only reliable landside smoking spot.
Clear signage is posted at the terminal entrances directing passengers to designated outdoor zones.
After Security
Airside smoking options have returned to both terminals, though the situation has been in flux and you should allow extra time to locate the cabins.
Terminal 3:
As of January and March 2025, two glass smoking cubes (labeled "Smoking Cabin" / "עמדת עישון") are operating near gates E3 and E4. These are compact enclosed glass booths with basic ventilation, visible from the main gate corridor.
As of February 2024, four smoking booths were reported near exit D2, with clear blue illuminated "Smoking Area" signage pointing toward them from the gate seating area.
An earlier outdoor courtyard-style smoking area was also reported near the airport synagogue in Terminal 3: go to the synagogue, turn right, and head down the stairs to a small outdoor yard with seating. This area may still be accessible but reports are mixed on whether it remains open alongside the newer cabins.
Terminal 1:
As of July 2024, smoking booths are confirmed back in Terminal 1 as well. The exact locations within Terminal 1 were not specified in available reports, but travelers report "plenty" of booths.
Transit and Layovers
If you are on a connecting flight and do not want to go through Israeli immigration, your airside options are the smoking cabins described above. If you are willing to exit the secure zone, you can leave the terminal, smoke at the outdoor designated areas outside the building, and then re-enter through security. Keep in mind that Ben Gurion is a high-security airport with thorough screening, so re-entry takes significant time. Budget at least 60-90 minutes if you plan to exit and re-enter.
Vaping Rules
No specific vaping policy for Ben Gurion Airport was found in the available sources. Israeli law generally treats e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco in public spaces, so assume vaping follows the same rules as smoking and use only designated areas.
Bottom Line
Smoking cabins are currently operating airside in both Terminal 3 (near gates D2, E3, and E4) and Terminal 1, but this policy has been reversed before, so verify on arrival. Smoke outside before entering if you want a guaranteed option with no uncertainty.
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