Smoking Areas in Dubai: Your 2025 Quick Guide

Walking around Dubai and wondering where you can light up without getting a fine? You’re not alone. The city has clear rules about smoking and vaping, but they’re spread across hotels, airports, malls and outdoor spots. This guide pulls the main points together so you can enjoy a cigarette or vape without a hassle.

Designated Smoking Spots in Public Places

Dubai’s public spaces usually have a sign that says Smoking Zone or shows a smoking‑pipe icon. You’ll find these zones in most large malls, like The Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates, but they’re limited to small areas near exits or outdoor terraces. Parks such as Al Barsha Pond Park have a few marked benches where smoking is allowed, but you’ll see a white circle with a red line if it’s a no‑smoke zone.

Public transport is strict: you cannot smoke on the Metro, trams, or buses at all. Even vaping is banned inside. The only exception is the airport lounges that display a smoking badge. If you’re unsure, look for a yellow sign with a cigarette silhouette – that’s your cue to step outside.

Hotels, Airports and Private Venues

Most hotels in Dubai offer a designated smoking room or a balcony where you can light up. When you book, ask if the room is a smoking one; otherwise you’ll be asked to step onto a balcony or use a designated lounge. Some five‑star properties have whole smoking floors, but they are clearly marked at the reception.

At Dubai International Airport, you can smoke in the designated areas of Terminal 3’s lounges and the outdoor smoking rooms near Gate 2. Vaping is allowed in the same spots, but you cannot vape in the general waiting areas. If you’re flying out during Ramadan, expect tighter enforcement – many lounges close their smoking rooms for the whole month.

Private clubs, bars and restaurants often have a separate smoking lounge. Look for a “Smoking Area” sign on the door. If no sign is present, assume it’s a no‑smoke venue and step outside. Fine for breaking the rule can be up to AED 2,000, so it’s worth double‑checking.

When you’re out for a coffee in a street‑side café, you’ll usually see a small balcony or a fenced area where smoking is allowed. In the older parts of the city, like Deira, many shisha cafés have indoor smoking because they are licensed for water‑pipe use. These spots are safe, but remember that non‑smokers can ask you to move if the area gets crowded.

Fine details matter: if you’re vaping, keep the device off in non‑smoking zones and store it in your bag. Some malls treat vaping the same as smoking, while others only ban e‑cigarettes with nicotine. Always check the sign – it will tell you if nicotine vaping is allowed.

Finally, remember to carry your ID. Security officers sometimes ask for proof of age (21+ for alcohol and 18+ for tobacco) when you enter a smoking lounge. A quick ID check can save you an awkward moment and a possible fine.

Bottom line: look for clear signs, stick to balconies, lounges and designated outdoor spots, and respect the no‑smoke zones. Follow these simple steps and you’ll stay on the right side of Dubai’s smoking laws while still enjoying your break.