Native and State Officers Urge Airport Authority to Prioritize Public Well being and Employee Security
Resolutions Reinforce Public Opposition and Well being Dangers for Workers and Vacationers
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Detroit, MI —The Wayne County Fee voted to formally oppose a proposed cigar lounge at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) this week, passing a decision that displays the considerations of staff, vacationers, and public well being advocates. The decision got here after the airport authority issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and simply earlier than the general public listening to held yesterday.
As well as, a decision was lately launched within the Michigan Home of Representatives (Home Decision No. 200), urging the Wayne County Airport Authority to halt plans for a cigar bar at DTW. The decision cites the hazards of secondhand smoke, the small variety of cigar people who smoke, and widespread public opposition — 77% of Michigan voters oppose a cigar lounge at DTW. It additionally notes that permitting indoor smoking would roll again greater than 15 years of smokefree protections and run counter to practices at practically all different main U.S. airports.
“Wayne County Commissioners made it clear that public well being and employee security should come first, and we urge the Michigan Home to sign their disapproval as nicely by passing its decision,” mentioned Cynthia Hallett, president and CEO of Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR). “No group group, worker group, or public well being skilled has requested for a cigar lounge. Airport workers shouldn’t have to decide on between their well being and their paycheck, and vacationers shouldn’t be compelled to stroll previous clouds of poisonous smoke on their solution to their gates. The Wayne County Airport Authority ought to align itself with public sentiment and public well being pointers and keep a 100% smokefree DTW.”
Almost 100 public feedback have been submitted and dozens of individuals have testified urging the Wayne County Airport Authority to take care of a smokefree coverage. Yesterday, Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR), the Heart for Black Well being and Fairness (CBHE), and the African American Tobacco Management Management Council despatched a letter to WCAA, outlining how, in permitting a cigar lounge to be in-built DTW, the airport authority is giving the tobacco business one other alternative to take advantage of the Black group and hurt public well being.
As airports nationwide have already moved away from smoking lounges, Detroit Metro Airport has the chance to comply with go well with. Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights calls on the Wayne County Airport Authority to rescind its RFP and uphold a 100% smokefree airport.
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Individuals for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) is a member-supported, non-profit advocacy group that has been working for practically 50 years, since 1976, to guard everybody’s proper to breathe unhazardous air in workplaces and public locations, from places of work and airplanes to eating places, bars, and casinos. ANR has constantly shined a light-weight on the tobacco business’s interference with sound and life-saving public well being measures and efficiently protected 61% of the inhabitants with native or statewide smokefree office, restaurant, and bar legal guidelines. ANR goals to shut gaps in smokefree protections for staff in all workplaces, together with bars, music venues, casinos, and accommodations. For extra data, please go to and https://smokefreecasinos.org.
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