Coalition hopes to stop proposed DTW airport cigar lounge

[JohnS]

We have brought you news on this development previously...

As can be seen, the progress has been quite slow!

Coalition hopes to stop proposed DTW airport cigar lounge

By Dave Spencer - Published  February 17, 2026 6:57pm EST, Detroit Metro Airport, FOX 2 Detroit

 

The Brief

• • A coalition called Keep DTW Smoke Free is trying to stop a proposal that would bring a cigar bar to Detroit Metro Airport.
  • The only place to smoke at Detroit Metro Airport is outside, 25 feet away from the entrance.
  • The group has been speaking out against the proposal, arguing that secondhand smoke endangers members of the public, including travelers who can’t avoid using the airport.

ROMULUS, Mich. (FOX 2) - Some are hoping a proposal to open a cigar bar at Detroit Metro Airport goes up in smoke.

Big picture view:

A coalition called Keep DTW Smoke Free is trying to stop a proposal that would bring a cigar bar to Detroit Metro Airport. DTW is currently accepting bids for a new cigar lounge, but some say the move would put unsuspecting travelers at risk.

Right now, the only place to smoke at Detroit Metro Airport is outside, 25 feet away from the entrance. But the airport says some high-end clients want to have a cigar bar inside, and it is now taking proposals. Others say this move takes the airport in the wrong direction.

"There are only four airports in the United States that have a cigar bar. We don’t need one in Detroit, so we’re opposing it," said Minou Jones with the Detroit, Wayne, Oakland Tobacco-Free Coalition. "We’re trying to protect 31 million travelers who go through our airport each year."

Speaking at a rally in Detroit, members of the Keep DTW Smoke Free coalition called on local officials and the Wayne County Airport Authority to put an end to the plan to open a cigar bar inside the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport.

For months, the group has been speaking out against the proposal, arguing that secondhand smoke endangers members of the public, including travelers who can’t avoid using the airport.

"This is a no-brainer. There is no safe level of tobacco exposure, and almost all of my professional career as a cardiologist was spent in prevention. This is easy," said retired cardiologist Dr. Felix Rogers. "It’s been shown that trying to have policies about ventilation and things like that don’t work."

The other side:

The Wayne County Airport Authority, in a statement, said:

"The 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."

The Airport Authority board is scheduled to meet Wednesday at the airport at 2 p.m.

The public is welcome to comment on the issue.

Source: https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/coalition-hopes-stop-proposed-dtw-airport-cigar-lounge

[BrightonCorgi]

Sorry, but there's no 2nd hand smoke outside of the lounge itself and the only people inside the lounge are not concerned about it. Not to rain on the parade, but I wouldn't be so hot to sit next to someone on a plane that just spent a couple of hours in a cigar lounge.

[El Presidente]

8 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Not to rain on the parade, but I wouldn't be so hot to sit next to someone on a plane that just spent a couple of hours in a cigar lounge.

I also don't want to sit next to someone with a pet dog under their seat or the obese lass/lad whose lats overhang is hitting my nipple, or the lad/lass who hasn't discovered deodorant. 

 

[MrBirdman]

Given the language of that press release they apparently are planning on turning the entire terminal into a cigar lounge, in which case I offer the project my full support.

[NYGuido]

8 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I also don't want to sit next to someone with a pet dog under their seat or the obese lass/lad whose lats overhang is hitting my nipple, or the lad/lass who hasn't discovered deodorant. 

I see we've been on the same flights 😜

[BrightonCorgi]

22 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I also don't want to sit next to someone with a pet dog under their seat or the obese lass/lad whose lats overhang is hitting my nipple, or the lad/lass who hasn't discovered deodorant. 

Someone stinking from cigars and cigarettes is at least somewhat preventable. Denver airport used to have a cigar lounge and a part of me regrets not spending routine layovers there. Especially when I had cigars with me on my carry on.  

[gormag38]

The billboards that they have up on the highways displaying their anger about it are comically bad. A photo of a young child and billowing smoke. They sure do know how to play to the base. 

22 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

but I wouldn't be so hot to sit next to someone on a plane that just spent a couple of hours in a cigar lounge.

Agreed. But I must say I'd prefer it over other things....such as @El Presidente mentioned above 😆

[BrightonCorgi]

56 minutes ago, gormag38 said:

The billboards that they have up on the highways displaying their anger about it are comically bad. A photo of a young child and billowing smoke. They sure do know how to play to the base. 

Agreed. But I must say I'd prefer it over other things....such as @El Presidente mentioned above 😆

You'd really take someone reeking of tobacco smoke over someone with a pet carrier under their feet?