a sign in a room

Many airports have banned smoking entirely, but now Detroit may go in the opposite direction with a new cigar lounge under consideration—and I think that’s a positive step.

Detroit Airport’s Planned Cigar Lounge: A Win for Travelers, Not a Health Threat

At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the airport authority has proposed creation of an airside cigar lounge and restaurant. Per View from the Wing, a coalition of health organizations including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and the American Lung Association have blasted the idea as “a danger to millions of travelers and airport employees” who would be exposed to second-hand cigar smoke.

Here’s the thing: I don’t smoke. I’ve written previously that I mourn the loss of airport smoking lounges and that we need more airport smoking lounges, not fewer. I stand by that and I believe this proposal at DTW doesn’t set us two steps backward, but rather creates a thoughtful alternative which can be safely managed.

A Traveler-First Take on Smoke-Friendly Lounges

Why am I in favor of a cigar lounge inside a major U.S. airport? Because the current model is failing all parties. Smokers are forced to leave the secure area, go outside to the curb, then re-enter security. Nonsmokers pass by these areas anyway, inhale second-hand smoke near entrances or outdoor zones, creating even more annoyance and heath risk. As I’ve said for years, separately-ventilated indoor smoking rooms or secure-side terraces actually reduce the exposure of nonsmokers to second-hand smoke.

By providing a designated cigar lounge with advanced air-handling, strict access control, and proper ventilation, the airport can satisfy a cohort of travelers, many of whom expect smoking lounges when they travel internationally, and reduce unpleasant exposure for everyone else. The fact that smokers currently walk outside or crowd near terminal entrances means the smoke burden shifts and leaks into non-designated zones anyway.

The Health-Group Concerns and How They Fall Short

The opposition groups make valid points: cigars carry high levels of carcinogens, and indoor smoking rooms must meet stringent requirements to protect workers. They argue that one large cigar equals the tobacco content of a full pack of cigarettes. They worry airport employees will be exposed despite ventilation systems. But these concerns assume a worst-case scenario and ignore the middle ground.

The airport authority responded by saying that the bidding process for the lounge will require state-of-the-art ventilation and negative-pressure rooms to capture smoke before it escapes. That kind of infrastructure is not new: it exists at airports around the world (for example at Zürich Airport and Hong Kong International Airport). The question isn’t whether a cigar lounge can be built safely, it’s whether U.S. airports are willing to build it safely with transparent standards.

Balancing Perspective: Traveler Demand, Revenue, and Rights

From a traveler-centric view: yes, a smoking lounge caters to a minority of users, but travel is about accommodating many preferences under one roof. Some eateries serve vegan only, some resist allergens, some offer paid lounges. Smoking lounges are simply part of the mix. In my older article “Why I Mourn the Loss of Airport Smoking Lounges,” I observed that nearly 13% of U.S. adults still smoke and airports that eliminated secure-side options forced smokers into unintended places.

From a business view: airports are always balancing amenities, revenue, and experience. If a cigar lounge is operated by a third party, pays high rental and user fees, and is isolated with proper ventilation, it can bring additional revenue without compromising broader passenger comfort or health.

CONCLUSION

Yes, we must prioritize worker safety and public health at airports. But opposing any smoking area on principle ignores the reality that smokers continue to travel, smoke, and influence airport operations whether lounges exist or not. A properly designed cigar lounge at Detroit’s airport could deliver better separation of smoke, preserve non-smoker comfort, and tap into international expectations of airport amenities. I’m not naïve about the health implications, but I am realistic enough to recognize that the current status quo pushes smokers outdoors or even into restrooms, which doesn’t serve anyone well.

If Detroit proceeds, the real test will be implementation: transparent ventilation plans, crystal-clear access rules, strong worker protections, and separation from the general terminal. If done right, this could be a blueprint, not an anachronism, for how American airports manage smoking in the 21st century.

I’m all for this…