ROMULUS, Mich. – A proposed cigar lounge at Detroit Metro Airport has travelers split on whether it’s a good idea.
Anti-smoking organizations, like the Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco-Free Coalition, are against the idea.
The coalition is behind multiple billboards around the airport, reading “Stop the Cigar Lounge at DTW”.
“The challenge is a lot of people don’t know, so the billboards are part of a campaign to raise awareness for what is being proposed,” Minou Jones with Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco-Free Coalition said.
Jones said the concern is secondhand smoke and its impact on people’s health.
“30 million people that go through the airport and you’re talking about subjecting those people to secondhand smoke,” Jones said.
Travelers seem split on whether or not it’s a good idea.
“If it’s closed off, then it’s fine as long as we don’t smell it out here,” Malasha Britt said.
“For health reasons, I have a problem with that,” Noah Ndenga said.
The Wayne County Airport Authority issued a statement regarding the proposal.
“We developed the cigar lounge… in response to interest from the community and local businesses, especially as it relates to the international nature of the airport,” said the Wayne County Airport Authority.
The authority also addressed concerns about secondhand smoke and ventilation.
“Bidders will be required to provide a state-of-the-art air handling and ventilation system and facility design to reduce smoke exposure to the fullest extent possible,” the Authority said.
Some travelers are looking forward to a cigar lounge.
“I have no problem with a cigar lounge,” John Renke said.
See below for the full statement from the Wayne County Airport Authority.
“We developed the Cigar Lounge and Restaurant Concessions Opportunity in response to interest from the community and local businesses, especially as it relates to the international nature of the airport. The Wayne County Airport Authority prioritizes the health and safety of all employees, customers, and visitors at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Bidders will be required to provide a state-of-the-art air handling and ventilation system and facility design to reduce smoke exposure to the fullest extent possible. We value all community input as we prepare to begin the solicitation process for this Concessions Opportunity.”