Advocates Rally to Keep Detroit Metro Airport Smokefree, Call on Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Airport Authority and Delta Airlines to STOP the Plan Putting Health at Risk!
New polling reinforces strong opposition to plan, more than 1,500 petition signatures gathered against proposal
DETROIT – With action expected soon on the proposal to open a cigar lounge in Detroit Metro Airport, advocates rallied in Detroit calling on Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, the Wayne County Airport Authority and Delta Airlines to stop the dangerous plan that will harm the health of travelers and workers.
To reinforce the opposition, advocates presented a collection of nearly 1,500 petition signatures calling for Detroit Metro Airport to be kept smokefree. After the rally, copies of the petitions were delivered to Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and also will be delivered Wednesday at the Wayne County Airport Authority Board meeting.
“It’s been clear from day one that people do not support this hazardous plan to put a cigar lounge inside Detroit Metro Airport,” said Minou Jones, chair of the Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco Free Coalition. “We will keep fighting against this proposal that will harm the health of travelers and workers alike. Polling continues to show people are against this, the health harms are clear and now more than 1,500 people have signed our petition. The results are clear: people want to Keep DTW Smokefree!”
The coalition of leaders from across various sectors raised concerns about airport workers’ health, passenger safety, and the broader consequences of how allowing smoking in a major American airport further normalizes the activity. They also addressed the dangers associated with second- and third-hand smoke and argued that airports should remain smoke-free public venues. Advocates stressed the negative consequences of allowing a cigar bar inside an airport at a time when airports across the U.S. are moving away entirely from allowing indoor smoking.
“As a lung specialist, I can tell you this clearly: there is no ventilation system that can fully contain smoke. Tiny particles escape. Those particles trigger asthma attacks, especially in children, older adults, and people living with lung disease. They also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes,” said Dr. Toby Lewis, a Pediatric Pulmonologist with University of Michigan Health. “But this isn’t just about science. It’s about the message we send. Airports represent who we are as a city. They are front doors to our community. They should be places that welcome everyone and reflect our shared values.”
A new national poll was presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network showing that 92% of frequent air travelers believe people have a right to breathe clean air. This conclusion aligns with a J.D. Power and Associates survey showing 87% of guests prefer a smoke-free hospitality environment. It further aligns with a survey in Michigan from June 2025, where 77% of voters polled in the state opposed the cigar bar.
“Years ago, I was part of the coalition that worked to make county buildings smoke-free. As the Chair of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors remains a top priority for me,” said Alicia Bell, chair of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. “Elected officials have a responsibility to take a stand and uphold the health values of our community. I was pleased that a majority of my colleagues on the Wayne County Board joined me in supporting a resolution opposing the installation of a cigar bar at the airport.”
The Wayne County Airport Authority is the governing body of Metro Airport, and it issued a Request for Proposal in October 2025 to solicit new concessions in the McNamara Terminal. The initiative leveraged the exemption clause in Michigan’s Smoke-Free Air Law that granted cigar bars the ability to allow indoor smoking.
“There’s no question that this plan would be a health hazard and a huge step backward for the health of residents and travelers alike,” Health Advocate A’Lynne Boles Dukes, founder and CEO of ABD Advocacy Agency. “At a time when nearly all airports are completely smokefree, the last thing we want is a cigar bar in the airport.”
###
Fast Facts
Secondhand Smoke is Deadly: In Michigan, over 1,740 nonsmokers die each year as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Cigar Smoke is Harmful: Cigar smoke is a major source of exposure to indoor air pollution. Cigar smoke can have higher levels of cancer-causing substances and toxins and more tar than cigarettes.
The Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke Exposure: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease and stroke in non-smoking adults and more frequent and severe asthma, respiratory problems and ear infections in infants and children.
All but four airports in the country ban indoor smoking: The only way to prevent the negative health effects is to keep Metro Airport smokefree.
Learn more at KeepDTWsmokefree.com