More Than Three-Quarters of Michigan Voters Oppose Plans For a Cigar Bar Inside Detroit Metro Airport
DETROIT – Michiganders overwhelmingly oppose plans to open a cigar bar inside Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal, with 77% of voters polled opposing the effort, according to a new statewide poll.
The polling shows that nearly 8 out of 10 voters polled are against the plan, which could expose bystanders, including airport workers and children, to harmful, secondhand smoke, which contains hundreds of toxic chemicals and has been found to cause lung cancer, heart disease and other serious health problems. Research shows there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Minou Jones, chairperson of the Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco-Free Coalition, believes the polling results align anecdotally with her engagement in the community as well as broader research her coalition has conducted.
“The polling results are a powerful rebuke from Michiganders,” Jones said, “and they coincide with the sentiment of those we’ve spoken to about the Wayne County Airport Authority’s desire to put a cigar bar inside DTW. These findings also reflect residents’ collective disapproval and signals to the decisionmakers that their actions should reflect public interest, rather than special interests.”
DWOTFC members will share the overwhelming opposition revealed in the poll during the July 16 Wayne County Airport Authority meeting, again urging the Board to abandon its plans for the cigar bar in the airport.
Michigan has had a smoke-free air law since 2010. Public health advocates warn that allowing such an exemption for a cigar bar at DTW would set a dangerous precedent and reverse critical public health protections.
“Our coalition continues to fight against this proposed health hazard and these poll results reinforce that Michigan residents don’t support this plan that would be a step backward for the health of residents and travelers alike,” said A’Lynne Boles Dukes, community advocacy director at the American Heart Association.
Members of the DWOTFC have been communicating their opposition to the WCAA by sending emails and providing public comment at their monthly meetings but few have received any response. The coalition also placed billboards near the airport to urge community action against the plan.
The Wayne County Airport Authority is an independent agency consisting of seven board members. The body is responsible for the operation of Metro Airport and Willow Run Airport, and it has the power to plan, promote, extend, purchase, construct, and operate both airports.
The statewide poll of 600 Michigan residents was conducted June 20-26, 2025, by EPIC-MRA. Of the responses, 80% were collected via cell phone. It has a margin of error of +/- 4%.
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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 smoke free.