Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)

Sharjah International Airport operates under a strict no-smoking policy in line with UAE federal law on smoking in enclosed public spaces. Smoking is only permitted in designated rooms inside the terminal building, and lighting up anywhere outside those rooms is illegal and subject to a fine. The key takeaway: you must use the designated smoking rooms; there is no outdoor smoking option and no tolerance for smoking in general terminal areas.

Before Security

The official airport website does not mention any landside (before security) smoking areas. One traveler-focused source suggests smoking is only permitted in designated areas outside the terminals landside, but this conflicts with the airport's own policy page, which specifies designated rooms inside the terminal building. Given the UAE's strict indoor smoking laws and the airport's own wording, it is safest to assume you need to find a designated smoking room rather than an outdoor spot. If you are departing and have not yet cleared security, ask airport staff to direct you to the nearest designated room.

After Security

Multiple sources confirm that designated smoking rooms are located throughout the terminal airside, past security. The airport's own facilities page and the Sleeping in Airports guide both note these rooms exist in the terminal, though neither source provides specific gate numbers or exact locations for each room. You will need to look for signage once you are airside.

Airport Lounges

Two lounges operate airside at Sharjah:

• The Lounge (Terminal 1, Airside, Departures): Open 24 hours, walk-in price AED 157.50, also accessible via prepaid lounge passes and membership programs. Showers available.

• First and Business Class Lounge (Airside, 1st Floor, Transit Area): Open 24 hours, pay at the door or via lounge membership programs. Showers available.

Neither source explicitly confirms smoking rooms inside these lounges specifically, but the general terminal smoking rooms are available to all passengers airside regardless of lounge access.

Vaping Rules

No specific vaping policy is mentioned by the airport or any source reviewed. Given the UAE's strict stance on tobacco and related products, treat vaping the same as smoking and only use it in designated smoking rooms if at all. Check current UAE regulations before traveling.

Transit and Layovers

If you are transiting through Sharjah, the smoking rooms are located throughout the terminal airside, so transit passengers should have access without needing to exit and re-enter security. There is no confirmed information about whether landside re-entry is possible after airside smoking.

Bottom Line

Smoking at Sharjah Airport is limited to designated indoor smoking rooms scattered through the terminal airside. Smoking anywhere else is illegal and will result in a fine, so follow the signs and do not improvise.