Tunis, Tunisia
Smoking policy at Tunis, Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN)
Warnings & Caveats
Smoking outside designated areas (including non-designated outdoor spots) is strictly prohibited and can result in fines under Tunisian law. Capacity in the airside smoking rooms is posted at a maximum of 8 persons for safety. Once you pass through security, you cannot exit back to the landside outdoor smoking areas.
Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN) is one of the more smoker-friendly airports in North Africa, offering designated smoking spots both before and after security. The key advantage here is that you do not need to pay for a lounge to smoke airside, there are free, enclosed smoking rooms right next to the departure gates.
Before Security
Landside, smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings. You will need to step fully outside before checking in or after collecting your bags on arrival. These spots are near the terminal entrances and exits, so they are easy to find, but once you pass through security you cannot come back out to use them.
Designated outdoor smoking zones are located near the terminal entrances and exits.
Smoking anywhere else on airport grounds, including non-designated outdoor spots, is prohibited and can result in fines.
Arriving passengers can use these areas immediately after exiting the terminal.
After Security
This is where TUN genuinely stands out. There are two enclosed, glass-partitioned smoking rooms airside, located right next to the departure gates. Traveler reports from April 2022 describe them as "really good little smoking areas" that are convenient and comfortable.
Smoking room near Gate 53: an enclosed, glass-walled room with seating (white chairs and small tables visible in photos). Green bilingual signage in Arabic and French reads "Espace pour Fumeurs / Smoking Area" with a posted capacity of max 8 persons for safety.
Smoking room near Gate 58: a similar enclosed facility with the same format, positioned near Gate 58 in the departures area.
Both rooms are free to use and accessible to any passenger who has cleared security, with no lounge membership or fee required.
Vaping Rules
No specific vaping policy is published by the airport. The safest assumption is that vaping falls under the same rules as smoking, meaning you should only vape inside the designated smoking rooms or outdoor areas. Ask airport staff if you are unsure, as enforcement can be inconsistent.
Transit and Layovers
If you are transiting through TUN, the airside smoking rooms near Gates 53 and 58 are your best option. You will not need to exit and re-enter the secure zone, which is generally not permitted anyway. The airport has a single terminal handling both North African and European routes, so the gate areas are relatively compact and easy to navigate.
Bottom Line
TUN is a genuinely convenient airport for smokers: free enclosed smoking rooms are available airside near Gates 53 and 58, and outdoor areas are accessible landside before security. Just make sure you smoke before going through security if you want fresh air, since re-entry is not allowed.
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