Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas in Qatar, but it is strictly prohibited in all closed public spaces, including restaurants, malls, and government buildings, with fines ranging from QAR 1000-3000. Vaping is illegal, with imports of e-cigarettes banned and possession risking fines or imprisonment.
Smoking is prohibited in all closed public spaces including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, public transport, malls, restaurants and government buildings. It is illegal to vape or use an e-cigarette.
Where are the smoking rooms? To maintain a smoke-free environment for our passengers and staff, Hamad International Airport is strictly a non-smoking facility. For our passengers' comfort there are designated smoking rooms available throughout the passenger terminal.
There are strict rules about what goods you can take into and out of Qatar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. It is illegal to import and sell vapes and electronic cigarette products.
Given these obstacles, the most common situation in Qatar is for foreigners to date other foreigners. That said, it is important that expats understand that certain public expressions of affection, such as kissing or hugging, are illegal in Qatar; especially in family-friendly spaces.
Don't Do This When Visiting Qatar 🇶🇦 Things to Avoid Doing While in Qatar
What clothes to wear in Qatar?
Attire. Attitudes towards dress in Qatar are relaxed, but visitors (men as well as women) are expected to show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public. It is generally recommended for men and women to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered.
Category. The Qatar Duty Free walkthrough store offers an exciting assortment across all duty-free core categories; liquor, perfume and cosmetics, sunglasses and watches, confectionery and tobacco.
The following activities are illegal in Qatar and punishable by heavy fines or jail time: photographing government buildings and military installations. littering in public spaces and common areas of public buildings. trafficking or eating pork.
Smoking is common in Qatar, where many people smoke cigarettes or traditional hookahs. Health Implications: Smoking has serious implications for human health.
Will they check my carry-on if I have a vape in it?
As long as your electronic smoking devices are in your carry-on bag and correctly packed, you should have no issues at the airport security checkpoint. However, if you pack it in your checked luggage, it will likely be found and confiscated.
A vaping device should always go in your carry-on bag and not in your checked luggage. Ensure that the device is turned off or otherwise protected from unwanted activation. If you want to pack e-liquids or filled vape pods in your carry-on bag, you need to put them in a clear zip-top bag with your other liquids.
Pack your vape in your hand luggage only — it must never go in check-in baggage. Keep e-liquids in containers no larger than 100 ml, stored in a clear, resealable plastic bag (maximum one litre). Ensure all vaping devices are completely switched off before boarding. Vaping is prohibited on aeroplanes.
If you're at tourist attractions, shopping malls and other public places, check the specific dress codes at the venue or online. Avoid commenting on Qatari culture, government policy or services, and commercial enterprises online while in Qatar. This includes reviewing hotel or restaurant experiences on social media.
Public displays of affection should be minimal – holding hands is acceptable but kissing and hugging in public is not. Noise disruptions, bad language, making obscene gestures and showing disrespect in any way to the religion or leaders of the land are all forbidden and may land you in legal trouble.
You may carry liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in containers up to 100ml (3.4oz) in your hand baggage. Containers larger than 100ml cannot be accepted, even if only partly filled. Your containers should be carried in a transparent, resealable, quart- or litre-sized bag no larger than 20x20cm (8x8in).
If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. For example, if you bring in 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars, you must pay tax and duty on both the cigarettes and the cigars because you have gone over your allowance in the tobacco category.
