Madurai, IndiaSmoking policy at Madurai, Madurai Airport (IXM)
Warnings & Caveats
Vaping and e-cigarette possession is illegal across India under PECA 2019, security may confiscate devices. Lighters are confiscated at the security screening point; finish smoking before you join the queue. Leaving the airside departure lounge to smoke means re-clearing security, which may not be possible close to boarding.
Madurai Airport (IXM) is a compact, single-terminal domestic hub in Tamil Nadu, and smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas before security, once you clear screening and enter the departure lounge, there is no way to smoke until you land at your destination.
Before Security
There are two outdoor spots where you can smoke landside:
Main terminal entrance, step out through the departures doors and look for the signposted area along the front of the building. Ashtrays and bins are placed here, and it is the most convenient option for most travelers before check-in.
Car park and curbside area, the parking-lot edge gives a bit more space away from the entrance crowds. Use the marked spots and bins, and keep well clear of doorways and active pick-up lanes.
Both spots are open air, so you are exposed to weather. Because the terminal is small, neither location is more than a short walk from the departures doors.
After Security
There is no confirmed smoking area airside at Madurai Airport. Once you pass through security into the departure lounge, smoking is not possible. If you leave the airside area to smoke, you will need to re-clear security, which could be a problem close to boarding time. Plan your smoke break before you queue for screening.
Vaping Rules
E-cigarettes and vaping devices are banned across India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) 2019. This covers possession as well as use, so do not carry a vape device to this airport at all. Security may confiscate it. Conventional cigarettes remain permitted in the outdoor zones before security.
Lighters
Standard lighters are allowed landside, so you can use your own lighter at the outdoor zones before security. Lighters are typically confiscated at the security screening point, so finish your smoke break before you join the queue. No wall-mounted electric lighter machine is confirmed at this airport.
Bottom Line
Smoke before security at the front-of-terminal outdoor zones; there is nothing airside. Leave enough time before your flight, because re-entering the departure lounge means going through screening again.
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