SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 24, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A plan to phase out the five smoking rooms at the Salt Lake International Airport, one in each concourse, was announced Tuesday.
The six-month plan will begin on July 5 with the closure of the smoking room in Concourse D, Mayor Jackie Biskupski said in a news release. The final smoking room will permanently close Dec. 19.
The current designs of the $1.8 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program do not include space for smoking rooms, the news release said. The first phase of the Terminal Redevelopment Program is scheduled for completion in 2020.
“This is, first and foremost, an issue of public health, both for travelers and our airport employees, but it is also an issue of space concerns,” said Biskupski, on the closure plan.
“The current airport terminal is also beyond capacity, and every foot of available space should be used to the best advantage of the traveling public.”
The news release said public health advocates estimate health care costs in Utah this year due to smoking will reach $542 million, with an additional $355 million in smoking-related lost productivity.
Closing the smoking rooms will also free up more than 1,200 square feet in the concourses for other purposes — possible retail space, charging stations for electronics and extra passenger seating.
The city supported a 2016 bill at the Utah Legislature sponsored by state Sen. Evan Vickers to require the airport close the rooms in compliance with the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act.
“Having been involved in this issue since last summer, I see this as a step forward for our airport and our state,” Vickers said. “I would have liked the Legislature to support this, but the timing is right and this is a positive and appropriate health move for our traveling public.”
Maureen Riley, airport executive director, said the the issues involved in closing the smoking rooms have been carefully studied.
“While we expect a mild change in routine for some using the airport, we anticipate no major impact in passenger movement or convenience in taking this step,” Riley said.
Currently, 27 of the 35 busiest U.S. airports are smoke free. More than 600 of the nation’s airports are smoke free.
Those wishing to smoke at the airport will still be able to do so outside the terminals, 25 feet from entrances, in accordance with the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act.
In conjunction with closing the rooms, Salt Lake City International Airport will begin an outreach campaign to notify the public, as well as a no-cost smoking cessation program for airport employees.
The closure schedule is as follows:
· Concourse D (470 square feet): July 5
· Concourse A (308 square feet): Week of Aug. 15
· Concourse B (396 square feet): Week of Sept. 26
· Concourse E (357 square feet): Week of Nov. 7
· Concourse C (598 square feet): Week of Dec. 19
