Belfast International Airport charges smokers a £1 to light up before jetting away

By Jo Tweedy


Smokers who want to light up before they fly away from Belfast International Airport are being charged £1 to do so to pay for a 'designated smoking area'.

The non-smoking airport said it had responded to a need for a place where passengers could smoke after checking in but that the cost of the 'specialist facility' would be covered by those who used it.

The airport issued a statement this week explaining the tobacco tax: 'We recognised that there was a demand for a smoking facility from some customers given that all public places (including airports) are now, and have been for a number of years, non-smoking.

'However, providing a specialist facility for a relatively small number of users is expensive to build and to maintain so it is not unreasonable that a small charge should be levied for the use of the facility.'

Those looking for a calming nicotine fix will be able to slot a £1 coin into a machine which operates the doors of the smoking area.

Although the move is unlikely to please some smokers, it has gone down surprisingly well with pro-smoking organisation Forest, which has welcomed the move.

Spokesman Paul Rowlandson said it 'congratulated' the airport:

'It is encouraging that Belfast International is making provision for travelling smokers.The fact that smokers will be partially exposed to the outside elements is not the fault of the airport.

Breath of fresh air? Pro-smoking organisation Forest has welcomed the move to create a designated space for smokers to retreat to


'It is a requirement of the unreasonable legislation which governs the provision and construction of areas where people may smoke.'

Rowlandson added: 'The modest charge of £1 for entry to the smoking room seems fair, providing that the charges go towards the maintenance of the smoking facility, as the airport assures us they will.

'At some other airports one can pay £40 for entry to a VIP lounge, but still be unable to smoke.'

It's not the first time the airline has introduced charges that have proved controversial with some passengers. Last summer, Belfast International introduced a drop-off fee for those who were driving family or friends to the terminal.

There is also a £1 fee for the transparent bags required for passengers carrying liquids in their hand luggage.



source:dailymail