Kamembe Airport (KME)

Kamembe Airport (KME) is a small regional airport in western Rwanda, near the town of Kamembe on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Concrete, verified information about smoking facilities at KME specifically is not available from the sources reviewed, so travelers should plan conservatively and assume that smoking inside the terminal building is not permitted.

Rwanda's Smoking Laws

Rwanda has national legislation that restricts smoking in indoor public spaces. The law prohibits smoking in government buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and public transportation. Enclosed public spaces and areas near entrances and exits of public buildings are also covered by these restrictions. Violations can result in fines or other penalties, so it is worth taking the rules seriously even at a small regional airport like KME.

Before Security

• No designated landside smoking area has been reported for KME in any of the sources reviewed.

• Given Rwanda's indoor smoking ban, your safest option before security is to smoke outside the terminal building, away from entrances and ventilation openings, before you enter.

• Kamembe Airport is a compact facility, so the walk back outside from check-in is short if you need a cigarette before heading through security.

After Security

• No airside smoking room or designated smoking lounge has been documented at KME.

• The airport does not appear to have the kind of paid airline lounges that sometimes offer smoking facilities at larger hubs.

• Once you pass security, it is safest to assume smoking is not available until you reach your destination.

Vaping

Rwanda's tobacco regulations are evolving, and no specific guidance on vaping or e-cigarettes at KME has been published in the sources available. Treat vaping the same as cigarette smoking and avoid using e-cigarettes inside the terminal.

Transit and Layovers

KME handles limited domestic and regional traffic. If you have a layover here, the small size of the airport means there are few facilities in general. Plan to smoke before entering the terminal if possible.

Bottom Line

Smoke outside the terminal before you enter; no confirmed designated smoking areas exist inside KME, and Rwanda's national indoor smoking ban applies throughout the building.