Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is partially smoke-free. Passengers may smoke in designated smoking areas within the airport's terminals, although smoking is prohibited in the main terminal buildings, in the vicinity of gates, toilets, and non-smoking areas.

KUL can be confusing to smokers because the airport is split between KLIA Terminal 1, and KLIA2, and smoking lounges are not always obvious. Some smoking areas are found indoors at KLIA1 and KLIA2, whilst some smoking lounges are located outdoors prior to security.

Check in the terminal and gate area first for a smoking area, as there is more travel time than you would think from pier to pier at KUL.

Before Security

Prior to security, smoking is generally restricted to designated outdoor smoking areas outside terminal buildings.

This is useful if you happen to arrive at the airport early, but once you reach the gate and your departure approaches, it is not. Those wishing to smoke outside must re-enter the terminal through normal security processes to return to the departure gate.

There are also reports of another smoking area at KLIA2 between Piers P and Q, next to the small shops around the Noodles shop or the Little Malaysia store. However, as it may be difficult to find, it is probably better to ask staff if you can't find it.

After Security

KUL has smoking lounges that passengers can use past the security checkpoint, but availability varies depending on which terminal and whether the flight is domestic or international.

KLIA Terminal 1

Satellite Building

The best known smoking areas for international departures in KLIA Terminal 1 are on the Satellite Building, after immigration and the aero train.

There are two smoking lounges in the Mezzanine Level / Level 2:

• North Zone: near Gate C11

• South Zone: towards Gate C30

These are some of the better smoking rooms around KUL, but only worth it if your flight is departing from the C gates, and less so if your flight is still in the main terminal area.

Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge

If you have access to the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge in Satellite Building, there is also a smoking room at the rear of the lounge.

This is one of the more comfortable options, but of course it is only available to people who can access the lounge.

Domestic Contact Pier

For domestic passengers using Terminal 1, there is a smoking area at TWG Tea shop at the adjacent Contact Pier.

This is convenient if your domestic gate is nearby; however, refer to airport signs to confirm this information on the day of travel.

Main KLIA Building and International Contact Pier

Smoking areas are generally not provided in the main KLIA building beyond security screening.

The smoking area on the international side of the Contact Pier is not officially recommended. Internationally departing passengers should ideally use the smoking rooms in the Satellite Building where available.

KLIA2

A criticism of KLIA2 is that smoking areas in the airport are harder to find, with some passengers noting that they are not well marked.

Between Piers P and Q

One of the popular smoking spots in KLIA2 is said to be in between Piers P and Q, behind or near a little Asian store, a Noodles shop, or a small little Malaysia store.

Depending on your route around the terminal, it may be before or around the security flow so look out for signage or ask airport staff if unsure.

International Departures

Since KLIA2 opened, a smoking area for international departures was located on Level 2 (one level below the main level), between the P and Q gates.

This one is not very obvious. Some people say this is found by passing by Starbucks and some furniture places and then down towards the lower levels.

If you are flying internationally from KLIA2, do not leave finding the smoking room until the last minute as it is hard to find.

Domestic Departures

The facilities for smokers in KLIA2 are sparse, and some have reported there are no proper indoor smoking rooms after going through security for domestic travelers.

In some cases guests can simply exit through the front doors and smoke in the viewpoint areas outside either side of the building if they have sufficient time to go through the necessary airport checks again.

Malaysia implements customs duties on cigarettes.

If you plan to carry cigarettes or tobacco into Malaysia, check the customs regulations before you arrive.

Bringing other tobacco products into Malaysia is permitted subject to a limited allowance on a duty-free basis (with a possible requirement for declaration) and may incur duties, taxes, fines, or confiscation.

Do not bring fake cigarettes or unmarked tobacco products into the country. Penalties for possessing them could be a lot worse than just losing them at customs.

Vaping at KUL

Although it is not clear if KUL considers vaping to be a separate activity for passengers, it is safest to assume that it is covered by the same rules.

Do not vape at: the terminal, gates, toilets, food and drink areas, or in other areas not currently designated a smoking area.

Practical Advice

Kuala Lumpur Airport is otherwise accommodating to smokers but has also been problematic at times.

The most reliable post-security smoking spots in KLIA Terminal 1 seem to be in the Satellite Building near the C gates. Likewise, smoking spots in KLIA2 seem to be diffused and hard to find, especially around Piers P and Q.

Smoking is permitted only in designated locations, which may be signposted or confirmed with staff members; allow sufficient time to return to your gate if you do smoke.