Xiamen, China
Smoking policy at Xiamen, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
Warnings & Caveats
China banned indoor smoking at all mainland civil airports in 2016. The airside smoking areas at XMN appear to be designated outdoor or semi-enclosed zones rather than fully enclosed indoor rooms, consistent with this national policy. Vaping and IQOS use is restricted in China; only tobacco-flavour e-cigarettes are legal, and airport use is confined to the same designated smoking zones. Traveler reports for the airside zones date from 2019-2020; confirm on arrival as policies and specific zone availability can change.
Xiamen Gaoqi Airport (XMN) has a split smoking policy: landside smoking is outdoor-only, while airside (after security) designated smoking zones exist in both Terminal 3 and Terminal 4. This follows China's 2016 nationwide ban on indoor smoking at civil airports, which closed all previously existing indoor smoking rooms across mainland China.
Before Security
Landside smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas outside the terminal buildings. There are no indoor smoking rooms before security. Look for marked outdoor zones near the arrivals and departures curbside at each terminal entrance. These areas are free to use and open to anyone.
After Security
Unlike most mainland Chinese airports, XMN retains designated smoking zones airside in both of its main terminals:
Terminal 3 (International):
Smoking area beside Gate 17 (confirmed by a traveler report from February 2019)
Additional smoking areas near Gates 5, 12, and 20
Terminal 4 (Domestic):
Indoor smoking rooms at Gates 69, 72, and 73 (confirmed by a traveler report from January 2020)
The Terminal 4 map (Image 2) shows "Smoking Allowed" (允许吸烟) icons marked at several gate positions along the concourse, consistent with the reported locations near Gates 69-73. The Terminal 3 map (Image 1) shows a "Smoking Room" (吸烟室) icon in the legend, with marked positions visible in the international departures area.
Vaping Rules
China implemented a state monopoly on e-cigarettes in November 2022. Only tobacco-flavoured vapes are legal; all other flavours are banned. At airports, vaping is treated the same as smoking: outdoor zones only before security, and designated smoking areas after security. Bringing non-Chinese vape products into the country is restricted. Heat-not-burn devices like IQOS are also restricted.
Transit and Layovers
If you are transiting and need to smoke, the airside smoking zones at Gates 5, 12, 17, and 20 (T3) and Gates 69, 72, and 73 (T4) mean you do not need to exit and re-clear security for a quick smoke. For landside smoking, exiting and re-entering is feasible for layovers of three hours or more, but factor in re-clearing security.
Bottom Line
XMN is more smoker-friendly than most mainland Chinese airports, with designated airside smoking areas in both terminals. Smoke at the gate-area zones after security, or head outside before security for landside options.
Is something wrong or outdated?
Help us keep information accurate. Submit a correction and we'll review it.
