Calgary airport to go smoke-free April 1

Last Updated: Monday, December 11, 2006 | 12:30 PM MT

CBC News

Beginning April 1, only a fool would try to light up at Calgary International Airport: Smoking will be banned inside the terminal.

Each concourse currently has at least one separate, ventilated room for smokers. However, those rooms will be closed because of the trend toward banning smoking in public places, said Bryce Patton, spokesman for the airport authority.

Smokers will eventually accept the change just as they became used to the smoking ban on airplanes, he said.

"Great concern was expressed as well that people simply could not go that long without having a cigarette, and frankly it turned out they could."

Lynette Sold an, co-chair of Smoke Free Calgary, applauds the decision: "I think they're doing exactly what they need to do. They're doing the right thing and I think they're being great leaders."

'Feeling pretty anxious'

Puffing on a cigarette in a smoking room next to the airport food court last week, Kristen Rothermell said she wants to be able to light up in the airport.

"I'd be feeling pretty anxious for sure. And especially if you're worried about your flight and something could go wrong, then a cigarette definitely helps."

Public places in Calgary will be smoke-free on Jan. 1, but bars and restaurants with separate smoking rooms, along with casinos and bingo halls, have been given a one-year exemption.

However, the airport is exempt from the city's smoking bylaw because it is on federal land.