Owais Crawford
Smoking indoors is only possible at a small number of major US airports, and Detroit Airport is considering joining them. The airport is planning to open a cigar lounge, which has sparked outrage among health and engineering experts, who argue that there is no safe level of indoor smoking. The proposal includes a cigar bar lounge and restaurant that would expose millions of travellers and employees to harmful secondhand smoke. However, some modern systems in airports, such as those in Frankfurt or Singapore, minimise the risk of secondhand smoke exposure.
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What You'll Learn
- Detroit Airport's planned cigar lounge sparks outrage
- Opponents of the cigar lounge include the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and more
- The airport currently has no indoor smoking areas
- The Fox Sky Bar in the MacNamara Terminal is the only indoor location where smoking is permitted
- The proposal includes a cigar bar lounge and restaurant that would expose travellers to second-hand smoke
Detroit Airport's planned cigar lounge sparks outrage
Detroit Airports planned cigar lounge sparks outrage
The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is planning on opening a cigar bar lounge in McNamara Terminal, provoking backlash from anti-smoking groups concerned about the health impact on passengers and employees. The proposal, presented at a recent Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) meeting, includes a cigar bar lounge and restaurant that would expose millions of travellers and employees to harmful secondhand smoke.
The Health Risks
Opponents, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and American Lung Association, argue that smoke-free policies are the only way to fully protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure. They cite studies showing elevated levels of particulate matter in non-smoking areas of airports with smoking lounges, which can endanger the health of travellers and staff. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports this, stating that there is "no risk-free level of secondhand smoke".
The Arguments For
However, some argue that indoor smoking areas with proper ventilation equipment can minimise the spread of smoke particles, potentially reducing the impact on outdoor areas. They point to successful examples in modern airports like Frankfurt and Singapore, where the risk of secondhand smoke exposure is minimal. Additionally, they question the specific public health risk of higher particulate matter and argue that travellers have other unhealthy options available, such as alcohol.
The Current Landscape
Smoking has been gradually phased out of the aviation industry, with most major US airports now entirely smoke-free. Dedicated cigar bars inside airports are rare in the United States, and none are currently in operation post-pandemic. However, smoking areas are more common outside the US, especially in Europe and Asia, with Tokyo Narita (NRT) having dozens of indoor smoking lounges.
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Opponents of the cigar lounge include the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and more
Opponents of the cigar lounge at Detroit Airport include several prominent health organisations, such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and more. These organisations argue that the proposed cigar lounge threatens the health of travellers and workers, exposing them to harmful secondhand smoke. According to the CDC, there is "no risk-free level of secondhand smoke", and even brief exposure can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. The opponents also highlight the potential impact on nonsmoking employees and travellers, who would be unable to escape the smoke-filled environment.
The American Heart Association, a leading non-profit organisation focused on cardiovascular health, is concerned about the potential impact of secondhand smoke on cardiovascular health. Studies have shown a direct link between secondhand smoke and an increased risk of heart disease. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, an affiliate of the American Cancer Society, joins the opposition, citing the well-established connection between secondhand smoke and lung cancer. Their primary goal is to prevent cancer and ensure that individuals are not inadvertently exposed to carcinogens.
The American Lung Association, dedicated to lung health and disease prevention, is also opposed to the cigar lounge. Secondhand smoke contains numerous toxic chemicals and has been linked to respiratory illnesses and lung damage. The presence of a cigar lounge in an airport setting, where individuals may be exposed to smoke against their will, is a significant concern for this organisation. Additionally, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is actively against the lounge, advocating for tobacco-free environments to protect children and youth from the harmful effects of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.
Another opponent, Tobacco Free Michigan, is a coalition working towards a tobacco-free Michigan. They are concerned about the potential normalisation of tobacco use and the impact on public health. The group also worries that the cigar lounge could increase tobacco addiction and make quitting more difficult for those trying to break free from tobacco dependence. Furthermore, the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation joins the opposition, emphasising the importance of smoke-free policies in protecting individuals from the dangers of secondhand smoke. They argue that the only way to fully safeguard non-smokers is to eliminate smoking indoors completely.
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The airport currently has no indoor smoking areas
The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) currently has no indoor smoking areas. However, there are designated outdoor smoking areas outside the terminal where travellers can smoke.
In 2024, the airport proposed plans to open an indoor cigar lounge, which sparked controversy and outrage from various health organisations, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and the American Lung Association. Opponents of the cigar lounge argue that it would expose millions of travellers and employees to harmful secondhand smoke, reversing decades of public health progress.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke, and even brief exposure can cause immediate harm. Studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Health and engineering experts agree that the only way to effectively eliminate the health risks associated with indoor smoking is to ban smoking activity altogether.
While modern systems in airports like Frankfurt or Singapore can minimise the risk of secondhand smoke exposure, opponents argue that there is still a potential risk to public health. However, supporters of the cigar lounge point out that other US airports, like Miami, Las Vegas, and Nashville, have smoking areas, and that dedicated cigar bars inside airports are rare in the United States.
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The Fox Sky Bar in the MacNamara Terminal is the only indoor location where smoking is permitted
Smoking is a controversial topic, and indoor smoking is only possible at a fraction of major US airports. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is ranked number one in customer satisfaction among mega airports, but its plan to introduce a cigar lounge has sparked outrage. The cigar lounge proposal includes a cigar bar, lounge, and restaurant, which would expose travellers and employees to harmful second-hand smoke. Opponents include the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, and other health-focused organisations.
Despite the controversy, there is currently one indoor location at DTW airport where smoking is permitted: The Fox Sky Bar in the MacNamara Terminal, Concourse A, near gate 45. The airport does not have any other indoor smoking areas, but there are designated smoking areas outside the terminal.
The debate around airport smoking areas is complex. Some argue that there is no safe level of indoor smoking, and the only way to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke exposure is to ban smoking entirely. On the other hand, modern systems in airports like Frankfurt or Singapore effectively minimise the risk of second-hand smoke exposure. Additionally, some travellers enjoy a cigar while at the airport and believe that with proper ventilation, indoor smoking areas can be safer than outdoor smoking areas, which can affect the air quality near terminal entrances.
While the Detroit airport's planned cigar lounge has sparked controversy, the existence of designated smoking areas, both indoor and outdoor, continues to be a topic of discussion among travellers, health organisations, and airport authorities.
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The proposal includes a cigar bar lounge and restaurant that would expose travellers to second-hand smoke
The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is considering a proposal to open a cigar bar lounge and restaurant, which has sparked controversy. The plan has been criticised as it would expose travellers and employees to second-hand smoke, with opponents arguing that it poses a health risk. However, others argue that modern ventilation systems can effectively minimise the spread of smoke particles and control health risks. Currently, DTW does not have any indoor smoking areas, but travellers can smoke in designated areas outside the terminal.
The proposal for the cigar lounge at DTW comes as smoking rates have declined nationwide, with cigarette smoking among adults dropping by over 70% since 1965. Despite this trend, dedicated cigar bars inside airports are rare in the United States, and none are currently in operation post-pandemic. Opponents of the proposal include health organisations such as the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and the American Lung Association, who argue that smoke-free policies are the only way to fully protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke exposure.
Supporters of the proposal argue that modern ventilation systems can effectively minimise the health risks associated with indoor smoking. They point to airports like Frankfurt and Singapore, which have smoking lounges with special ventilation systems that minimise the impact on indoor air quality. Additionally, proponents argue that other airports in the US, such as Miami, Las Vegas, and Nashville, have smoking areas, and that similar designated smoking areas in airports do not significantly impact indoor air quality.
The debate highlights the conflicting interests of travellers who smoke and those who prefer smoke-free environments. While some travellers may appreciate the convenience of a cigar lounge, others may be concerned about the potential health risks associated with second-hand smoke exposure. As the decision rests with the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), the outcome will have implications for the airport's reputation and the well-being of its travellers and employees.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no indoor smoking areas inside Detroit Airport. However, there are designated areas outside the terminal where smoking is permitted.
Yes, there are plans to introduce a cigar bar lounge and restaurant inside the airport. This proposal has sparked outrage among some, with concerns about the health impact on travellers and employees.
Smoking is prohibited on all US domestic flights, and most major US airports are entirely smoke-free. However, some airports, like Miami, Las Vegas, and Nashville, have designated smoking areas.
Yes, airport smoking areas are much more common outside the US, including in Europe and Asia. For example, Frankfurt, Singapore, and Tokyo Haneda airports have indoor smoking lounges with modern ventilation systems.
