Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

KUL is a large two-terminal airport where smoking is strictly limited to officially gazetted designated areas under Malaysia's Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). The airport is split between KLIA Terminal 1 and KLIA2, and the smoking options differ significantly between them. Smoking and vaping outside the designated zones can result in fines of up to RM250.

Before Security

Landside smoking is possible at outdoor curbside zones in both terminals:

• KLIA Terminal 1: Outdoor smoking zones are located on the outer curbside at Level 1, Level 3 (in front of Gates 4, 6, and 8), and Level 5 (between Gates 4 and 6). These are open-air spots accessible to anyone before check-in or after arriving.

• KLIA2 Main Terminal Building: Designated outdoor smoking zones sit on the left and right wings just outside the Main Terminal Building entrance, before you enter the building. These open-air terraces overlook the apron and offer views of Piers J, K, and L. They are clearly marked with green "Zon Merokok" signage and have standalone ashtray bins. The floor plan confirms smoking icons on both the left (Sector 1) and right (Sector 3) sides of the MTB entrance level.

• KLIA2 Arrival Hall: A smoking area is also listed at Level 2 of the Arrival Hall Mall Gateway at KLIA2, useful for arriving passengers.

If you smoke before security and need to return to your gate, you will have to go back through security screening, so allow extra time.

After Security

KLIA Terminal 1 - Satellite Building (International)

The best post-security options for international passengers at Terminal 1 are in the Satellite Building, reached via the aerotrain after immigration. There are two dedicated smoking lounges on the Mezzanine Level (Level 2):

• Smoking Room C11 (North Zone, near Gate C11 and the Kepler Club airside)

• Smoking Room C31 / Lot SATMEZ 25 (South Zone, near Gate C30 and the Travel Club Lounge)

Both are enclosed, ventilated smoking rooms with seating. They are only worth the walk if your flight departs from the C gates in the Satellite Building.

KLIA Terminal 1 - MAS Golden Lounge (Satellite Building)

The Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge on the Mezzanine Level of the Satellite Building has a dedicated smoking room at the rear of the lounge. Access is restricted to Malaysia Airlines First and Business Class passengers only. There is no walk-in purchase option for this lounge.

KLIA Terminal 1 - Domestic Contact Pier

For domestic passengers at Terminal 1, there is a smoking area near the TWG Tea shop at the Contact Pier (designated as Smoking Room B2, Passenger Level Domestic). Check airport signage on the day as exact positioning can shift.

KLIA2 - Satellite Building (International)

At KLIA2, the main post-security smoking room for international passengers is at Level 2 of the Satellite Building, Sector 6, near the Khazanah Home Decor shop and the charging station. It is an enclosed glass-door smoking lounge with seating and ventilation. The entrance is tucked into the right corner of the Satellite Building and can be easy to miss. Blue arrow signage inside the terminal points toward it. A second open smoking area is listed at Level 3, Sector 2 (left and right sections) of KLIA2.

The smoking room previously located at Pier L near Caring Pharmacy has been confirmed closed and is no longer available.

Vaping Rules

Vaping falls under the same Act 852 restrictions as smoking. The safest assumption is that vaping is only permitted in the same gazetted designated smoking zones. Do not vape at gates, restaurants, toilets, or anywhere not explicitly marked as a smoking area.

Transit and Layovers

KUL is a large airport and distances between piers are significant. If you are transiting through Terminal 1 and your gate is in the main building rather than the Satellite Building, post-security smoking options are limited. Plan your time carefully and do not leave finding a smoking room until the last minute, especially at KLIA2 where signage is reportedly poor.

Bottom Line

Smoking is possible both before and after security at KUL, but the locations are spread across a large campus and some are genuinely hard to find. The Satellite Building smoking rooms (C11 and C31 at Terminal 1, Sector 6 at KLIA2) are your most reliable post-security options - confirm with airport staff on arrival if you cannot locate them.