Tehran IKA smoking guide

Smoking at Tehran IKA? Smoking rooms after security, outdoor areas before it.

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) allows smoking only in designated areas. Unlike many airports, passenger reports describe indoor smoking rooms after security in the main terminal's boarding wings, plus outdoor areas near the entrances. This guide shows where to find them, how to navigate there and what to know about vapes, heated tobacco and connecting flights.

Terminal 1 · where to smoke

Outside entrances · before security
Security and passport control
Left wingSmoking room
Right wingSmoking room

Tehran IKA Airport Smoking Policy

Designated areas only

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport restricts smoking to designated areas. General waiting areas, corridors and restrooms are not smoking areas, and Iran's public-place smoking rules prohibit smoking in covered public places, including public transport terminals.

Unlike airports where you can only smoke outside security, passengers report smoking rooms inside the main international terminal at IKA, near the entrances to the boarding wings.

Designated areas only

Smoke only where smoking is clearly permitted.

Before security

Outdoor areas near the terminal entrances.

After security

Smoking rooms near both boarding-wing entrances in Terminal 1.

Not everywhere

Not every terminal or gate area has a smoking room.

Smoking Areas at a Glance

Main international terminal (Terminal 1)

Main option

Left boarding wing

Smoking room near the entrance to the left wing, after security.

Main option

Right boarding wing

Smoking room near the entrance to the right wing, after security.

Before security

Outside the terminal

Open-air areas near the entrances and curbside forecourt.

Historical report

Café near passport control

A small café on the left side was once used as a smoking area.

Historical report

Business and CIP lounges

Smoking rooms have been reported inside lounges, subject to access.

About these locations: IKA does not publish a gate-by-gate list of smoking rooms. The locations in this guide come from passenger reports and travel guidance, and use terminal landmarks rather than gate numbers. Facilities can change, so follow the signs on the day.

Where Are the Smoking Areas at Tehran IKA Airport?

Pick a location for step-by-step directions

The most detailed information relates to the main international terminal, usually called Terminal 1. Passengers describe smoking rooms in both boarding wings, as well as options near passport control and in a business lounge.

Terminal 1: Left Boarding Wing

After security, near the entrance to the left boarding wing

How to find it

  1. Complete security and departure formalities.
  2. Follow the signs to the left boarding wing.
  3. At the wing entrance, look around the entrance area for the smoking room.
  4. No sign in sight? Ask airport staff for the nearest smoking room.
Best for: Departing passengers using the left wing, and connecting passengers who stay airside.

Terminal 1: Right Boarding Wing

After security, near the entrance to the right boarding wing

How to find it

  1. Pass through the departure checks.
  2. Follow the signs to the right boarding wing.
  3. Look for smoking-room signs around the wing entrance.
  4. Ask airline ground staff if it is not clearly marked.
Best for: Passengers departing from the right wing who do not want to walk back across the terminal.

Near Passport Control: Smoking Café

Beyond passport control, according to an older passenger report

How to find it

  1. From passport control, walk straight ahead.
  2. Head down to the left, where a small café was reported as a smoking area.
  3. Check that smoking is clearly allowed before lighting up.
Best for: Travellers already in this part of the departure area.

Business and CIP Lounges

Straight on from passport control, then down to the right; plus the CIP lounge

How to find it

  1. Head straight from passport control, then down to the right for the business lounge.
  2. Ask reception whether smoking is currently allowed inside.
  3. Check whether you have lounge access or need to book separately.
Best for: Passengers with lounge access who want a quieter place to smoke.

Outside the Terminal: Before Security

Open-air areas near the terminal entrances and curbside forecourt

How to find it

  1. Stay in the outdoor public area before entering for check-in or security.
  2. Move away from the entrance doors and busy walkways.
  3. Look for smoking signs, or ask staff where smoking is allowed.
  4. Finish before heading to check-in, passport control and security.
Best for: The best fallback if you are not yet airside or cannot find an indoor room.
Navigation tip: check your boarding gate before heading to a smoking room. If your gate is far down the wing, leave enough time to get back and board.

Smoking Areas Near Specific Gates

Use the boarding wing, not the gate number

Travellers often look for a smoking area near their gate to avoid crossing the terminal twice. At IKA, smoking rooms are best located by boarding wing rather than by gate number.

Location Smoking option Type
Terminal 1, left boarding wing Smoking room near the wing entrance Main option
Terminal 1, right boarding wing Smoking room near the wing entrance Main option
Near passport control, left side Small café reported as a smoking spot Historical report
Near passport control, right side Business lounge reported to have a smoking area Access required
CIP lounge Smoking room reported in travel guidance Access required
Outside terminal entrances Outdoor smoking area Before security
Quickest route: if you are already airside, tell any staff member your gate number and ask for the nearest open smoking room.

Can You Smoke After Security at Tehran IKA?

Yes, in the main terminal

Before security

Outdoor areas

  • Outdoor smoking near the terminal entrances
  • Ideal before you enter the secure area
  • Allow time to go back in, check in and clear departure formalities
After security

Smoking rooms

  • Smoking rooms near the entrances to both boarding wings in Terminal 1
  • A café and business lounge also mentioned in older reports
  • Look for signs before walking away from your gate
Re-entry warning: if you leave the secure area to smoke outside, you will need to go through security and other checks again. How long that takes depends on your itinerary and the queues.

Smoking During a Layover at Tehran IKA

Pick your connection time

Stay near your gate

Avoid long walks across the terminal. Use the smoking room near your current boarding wing, if one is open.

Recommendation

Do not leave the secure area just to smoke.

Use the boarding-wing rooms

You have time to find a smoking room in either boarding wing.

Recommendation

Confirm your next gate and be back well before boarding starts.

Plan around your transit

More time to explore the terminal, but this does not automatically mean you can leave the airport or enter Iran.

Recommendation

Check visa and entry rules before a landside smoking break, and allow time for immigration and security.

Salam Terminal: if your trip involves the separate Salam Terminal, do not assume it has the same smoking facilities as the main international terminal. Ask staff about the area you depart from.

Vapes, E-Cigarettes and IQOS at Tehran IKA

Different rules from cigarettes

Iran restricts the sale and use of electronic cigarettes. Do not use a vape or e-cigarette at IKA, indoors or outdoors, and check current Iranian rules and your airline's baggage rules before packing one.

  • Airline battery rules and national laws are separate
  • A device your airline allows may still be restricted in Iran
  • Check the rules before packing devices or e-liquid

Heated tobacco products are not automatically allowed just because they do not burn tobacco like a cigarette. Iran restricts heated tobacco, including its import and use.

  • Do not use them in terminal areas, boarding zones, cafés or lounges
  • Check current rules before carrying them into Iran
  • Do not assume a cigarette smoking room allows them

Essential Tips for Smokers at Tehran IKA

Save time and avoid problems

Check your gate first

Knowing your gate tells you whether the left- or right-wing smoking room is closer.

Ask staff

Staff can point you to the nearest open smoking room faster than any online map.

Do not rely on old maps

Some reports are several years old; a room, café or lounge amenity may have changed.

Watch the boarding time

Allow time to walk back and board; do not start looking at the final call.

Check lounge access

Lounges have their own access rules; confirm before making a detour.

Follow device rules

Vapes and heated tobacco are restricted in Iran and are not covered by smoking rooms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at Tehran IKA

Learn from other travellers

Assuming every smoking room mentioned online is still open
Hunting for an exact gate number instead of using the boarding wing
Walking to a lounge without checking its access rules
Leaving the secure area during a short connection
Assuming the Salam Terminal has the same facilities as the main terminal
Treating vapes or heated tobacco as allowed because cigarettes are

Make Your Time at Tehran IKA More Comfortable

For long waits before departure

If you have a long wait before your flight, airport lounges and Meet & Greet assistance can make your time at IKA more comfortable. Check current availability and access conditions before booking.

Before You Fly: Finding a Smoking Area at Tehran IKA

Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport has smoking rooms near both boarding-wing entrances in the main international terminal, and outdoor options near the terminal entrances. Older reports also mention a café and business-lounge smoking areas near passport control.

Identify your terminal and gate first, head to the smoking room in your boarding wing, and ask staff if you cannot spot it. Before you travel, review Iran's rules on vaping and heated tobacco.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. Passengers report smoking rooms after security near both boarding-wing entrances in Terminal 1, and outdoor areas near the terminal entrances before security.

Yes. Smoking rooms have been reported after security in the main international terminal, near the entrances to the left and right boarding wings.

Near the entrances to the left and right boarding wings, after security and departure formalities. Follow the signs to your wing and look around the entrance area.

Smoking rooms are located by boarding wing rather than by gate number. Use the room at the entrance of your wing, or ask staff for the nearest one to your gate.

Yes, in outdoor areas near the terminal entrances before security. Move away from the doors and busy walkways, and follow any smoking signs.

Smoking rooms have been reported in a business lounge near passport control and in the CIP lounge. Lounge access rules apply, so check with the lounge before you go.

Yes, if you stay airside and use a smoking room in the boarding wings. Avoid leaving the secure area on a short connection, as you will need to clear security again.

No. Iran restricts the sale and use of electronic cigarettes. Do not use a vape at IKA, and check Iranian rules before packing one.

Iran restricts heated tobacco products, including their import and use. Do not use them in the terminal, and check the rules before carrying them.

Do not assume the Salam Terminal has the same facilities as the main international terminal. Ask staff about smoking options in the area you depart from.