A significant US airport desires so as to add a spot to smoke

Many worldwide airports provide areas for people who smoke (and vapers) to gentle up contained in the terminals. However, thanks to wash indoor air legal guidelines adopted over time in lots of cities and states, smoking of any sort is prohibited inside most airport amenities within the U.S. Designated smoking areas — in the event that they exist — are exterior.

There are some holdouts. People who smoke can nonetheless discover smoking lounges, patios and different “smoking allowed” spots postsecurity at terminals in Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Tampa and Gulfport, Mississippi.

And, come 2026, a serious U.S. airport could be a part of that record.

On Oct. 1, the Wayne County Airport Authority — which operates Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) — issued a Request for Proposals for brand spanking new food-and-beverage concessions in DTW’s McNamara Terminal.

That request features a proposed bar/lounge idea with meals, retail cigars and an enclosed cigar smoking space in Concourse A, close to gates 43 by way of 47.

DTW’s bars and eating places have been smoke-free since 2010, when Michigan’s Smoke-Free Indoor Air Regulation was handed. However the legislation makes an exemption for stand-alone cigar lounges.

The inclusion of a cigar bar in DTW’s present request “was developed in response to curiosity from the group and native companies, particularly because it pertains to the worldwide nature of the airport,” stated Cortez Strickland, the airport’s communication and public relations supervisor.

He added that the request requires bidders to offer a state-of-the-art air dealing with and air flow system and facility design to cut back smoke publicity “to the fullest extent potential.”

Proposals for the cigar lounge at DTW are due in January 2026, however the very thought of the lounge does not sit properly with many nonsmokers, employees’ rights organizations and nonsmoking rights teams, citing a Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention examine that reported secondhand smoke points in lots of nonsmoking areas at airports with smoking lounges.

“On high of all the same old difficulties that include flying, [DTW] vacationers will now should cope with the acute well being hazard of secondhand smoke publicity as they go by way of this busy hub,” stated Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of People for Nonsmokers’ Rights Basis. “Not solely that, however airport employees will likely be compelled to breathe in poisonous fumes simply to earn a dwelling.”

Which different US airports have postsecurity smoking areas?

Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS)

At Harry Reid Worldwide Airport in Las Vegas, there are eight gaming lounges the place smoking is permitted. Every lounge has slot machines inside enclosed, ventilated areas, and entry to those areas is restricted to vacationers 21 and older. The airport notes that whereas smoking is allowed in these lounges, marijuana and different hashish merchandise can’t be used within the lounges as a result of these substances are prohibited on airport property, per federal legislation.

At LAS, there’s one gaming lounge that enables smoking at each the A and B gates in Terminal 1. There are two lounges in Terminal 1 on the Concourse C gates, close to gates C5 and C25.

Concourse D has two lounges, close to gates D16 and D50. There are additionally two lounges in Terminal 3 on the E gates, close to Gate E3 and Gate E14.

Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA)

At Miami Worldwide Airport, people who smoke can order a drink and/or a meal and light-weight up on the skin patio of TGI Friday’s, which is within the North Terminal of Concourse D, by Gate D36. There’s additionally a piece off the aspect of the patio the place people who smoke could stand and smoke with out making a purchase order.

Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA)

Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) has 4 separate postsecurity airside terminals: airsides A, C, E and F. Every has a lined outside smoking space.

Search for these lounges by Gate A18, Gate C30, Gate E62 and Gate F88.

Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA)

At Nashville Worldwide Airport, people who smoke can gentle up on the Vacationers Submit Smoking Lounge in Concourse B, close to Gate B10. The lounge is an airport concession program and features a small store adjoining to a ventilated, enclosed lounge. Drinks are served right here, and entry requires a charge. Posted hours are 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Gulfport-Biloxi Worldwide Airport (GPT)

Mississippi’s five-gate Gulfport-Biloxi Worldwide Airport has a filtered smoking room by gates 2 and three.