After all, the world's airlines flew 1.2 billion passengers in 1994, and even if only 20 percent of them were smokers that's 240 million travelers who, in this era of multiple routing alternatives, could decide to take their business to someone who sympathizes with their addiction. Of course, some non-smokers complain that smoke is penetrating the ceiling or coming out the door, but we haven't found that to be the case. The lounges have separate ventilation systems with extractor fans, seating, telephones-and vending machines containing Philip Morris cigarette brands. Among other airports that have adopted enclosed, separately ventilated smoking lounges are McCarran International in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City International, San Francisco International, Washington's Dulles International and Denver International. McCarran's glass-enclosed smoking rooms were built in 1994 and their amenities include banks of slot machines.
Smoking also is permitted in some enclosed bar and restaurant areas.
The reaction's been very positive. Smoking is prohibited elsewhere in the terminal. At the new Denver International Airport the smoking problem has been turned over to a concessionaire. There is no smoking anywhere else in the terminal. Dulles International this spring constructed a glass-enclosed smoking lounge in its midfield concourse after receiving complaints about its previous policy of allowing smoking in the bar area.