ATL Bans Smoking, starting January 2, 2020
Jul 17, 2019, 5:07 am
#61
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Smokers in Europe (at least in England and France) can still smoke in the outdoor parts of cafes and restaurants, which is not true in the US. It has made sitting outdoors in a cafe a smokier experience than it used to be, as all the smokers are now concentrated at those tables.
Jul 17, 2019, 7:09 am
#62
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Write this up as being an unintended consequence of treating smokers worse than we as a society treat dead-beat dads. As a former smoker, I'm telling you that it is a serious addiction that will override your common sense...I never smoked where I wasn't supposed to but I wasn't that heavy a smoker.
Smoking should absolutely not be allowed inside anymore. But half the time to have a "quick" smoke break its a 20 minute walk, then you need a team of sled dogs, and then you have to answer the bridge troll's three questions to get to the 2 square feet in a city block it's "ok" to smoke...I'm exaggerating but not all that much for people who work in skyscrapers.
We can get a small outdoor area at most airports where someone can smoke quick before their flight. It wouldn't be that hard or expensive. Some Cyclone fencing and a few old coffee cans will be more than enough for the smokers to not sneak one in the airport bathroom.
Yes I know people should quit. But it's perfectly ok at the airport to have a huge steak, loaded baked potato, and a huge slice of cheesecake, washed down with 3 beers and a scotch, then hop on a motorized cart to get dropped off at the gate, or maybe a quick pit stop to grab a Double Shake Shack burger for the flight complete with a Coke the size of a large movie theater popcorn. And just before you board pop a couple of Xanax to help you relax.
TLDR: give smokers a tiny outdoor area and they won't smoke inside.
Smoking should absolutely not be allowed inside anymore. But half the time to have a "quick" smoke break its a 20 minute walk, then you need a team of sled dogs, and then you have to answer the bridge troll's three questions to get to the 2 square feet in a city block it's "ok" to smoke...I'm exaggerating but not all that much for people who work in skyscrapers.
We can get a small outdoor area at most airports where someone can smoke quick before their flight. It wouldn't be that hard or expensive. Some Cyclone fencing and a few old coffee cans will be more than enough for the smokers to not sneak one in the airport bathroom.
Yes I know people should quit. But it's perfectly ok at the airport to have a huge steak, loaded baked potato, and a huge slice of cheesecake, washed down with 3 beers and a scotch, then hop on a motorized cart to get dropped off at the gate, or maybe a quick pit stop to grab a Double Shake Shack burger for the flight complete with a Coke the size of a large movie theater popcorn. And just before you board pop a couple of Xanax to help you relax.
TLDR: give smokers a tiny outdoor area and they won't smoke inside.
Actually, the scenario you described reminded me of an episode of The IT Crowd, if any of you guys watched that, where the office’s only designated smoking area is what looks like a dilapidated bus stop shelter several blocks away, leading one of the smokers to revolt against their treatment. And that show was British and from 10 years ago.
Jul 17, 2019, 7:39 am
#63
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Jul 17, 2019, 7:51 am
#64
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I would happily take exactly that passenger you describe next to me over someone who is too large to fit in a seat. I can position the air vent to to push the air away. I cant physically move someone’s adipose
Jul 18, 2019, 7:46 am
#65
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
I can honestly say that no, I've not noticed it before, though I generally don't go scoping out smoking rooms during ATL connections. I just happened to pass by one this time and thought how archaic it is. I've seen FAs/Pilots smoking outside of airports and I think it just looks trashy.
Jul 18, 2019, 10:06 pm
#66
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I can honestly say that no, I've not noticed it before, though I generally don't go scoping out smoking rooms during ATL connections. I just happened to pass by one this time and thought how archaic it is. I've seen FAs/Pilots smoking outside of airports and I think it just looks trashy.
Dec 17, 2019, 5:14 pm
#67
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In addition to the closure of smoking rooms at the world’s busiest airport, smoking will no longer be permitted at the three airport restaurants that have allowed it: Gordon Biersch, TAP and Terrapin Taphouse.
Signs are going up around the airport to notify passengers of the new ban.
The airport’s domestic terminal and international terminal now have designated outdoor smoking zones. But those zones are not within the airport’s security-controlled areas, meaning passengers connecting between flights in Atlanta would have to leave the secure concourses to smoke, then go back through security to catch their next flight.
Signs are going up around the airport to notify passengers of the new ban.
The airport’s domestic terminal and international terminal now have designated outdoor smoking zones. But those zones are not within the airport’s security-controlled areas, meaning passengers connecting between flights in Atlanta would have to leave the secure concourses to smoke, then go back through security to catch their next flight.
Dec 17, 2019, 5:20 pm
#69
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I continue to not understand the point of this. If there are designated places for smokers to smoke that don’t disturb anyone else, why get rid of them?
Dec 17, 2019, 5:58 pm
#70
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I’m not one usually overly sympathetic to smokers but it seems like this move has many unintended secondary and tertiary effects (though ATL sounds like it’s hardly the first airport to implement this). This will make security lines that much longer from those who leave security to go smoke - a burden for passengers and TSA. Also makes me wonder if in addition to people simply going and lighting up in bathroom stalls to not have to leave security, if they’ll be more likely to try to light-up in the lav on the plane.
Dec 17, 2019, 6:12 pm
#71
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I’m not one usually overly sympathetic to smokers but it seems like this move has many unintended secondary and tertiary effects (though ATL sounds like it’s hardly the first airport to implement this). This will make security lines that much longer from those who leave security to go smoke - a burden for passengers and TSA. Also makes me wonder if in addition to people simply going and lighting up in bathroom stalls to not have to leave security, if they’ll be more likely to try to light-up in the lav on the plane.
Dec 17, 2019, 6:16 pm
#72
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Nashville airport gets away with paid smoking clubs as the city and state ordinance allows smoking in 21 and older clubs and restaurants.
The City of Atlanta made no exceptions for some public buildings (ATL) but not others.
Dec 17, 2019, 6:59 pm
#73
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In restaurants or bars that allow smoking, there are servers, cleaners, etc that are exposed to smoke. The long term health consequences, as well as future legal liability outweigh the smokers convenience.
Dec 17, 2019, 8:49 pm
#74
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I am not a smoker and not "support" them.
But, why close a room where they can go. At least leave them ONE place...
Dec 18, 2019, 6:42 am
#75
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Come on man. I'm one of the older Millennials (1984), and the virulent anti-smoking campaigns started when I was in elementary school, and my Gen X cousins were all still smoking in HS bathrooms at that point... so I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions on this one.