WhyNot?

For smokers at the airport

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Responses: 4 (2 in support, 0 neutral, 2 in opposition)
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Being a smoker, I know the worst experience getting off the plane is waiting until I'm outside to finally light up and have that first post-plane cigarette. However, it is anything but convenient to smoke at an airport. The first problem is that matches and lighters aren't allowed onto a plane, so you end up playing the game of "who has a light" outside the terminal. You may also not have cigarettes on you as well and are either unwilling to pay airport prices for a pack or buy a brand that you don't smoke (airports are often limited in their availability, from my experience). A big issue with both obtaining cigarettes and a light is that when a plane arrives during early morning or late night hours, everything inside the terminal is shut down and often, there are too few people around, milling about, ready to hand over a light or an extra cigarette (which already is a hassle these days, since cigarettes are expensive and people are unwilling to part with their precious tobacco).

I have always thought a great solution to this would be stationing automated cigarette/matchbook machines outside the airport terminal entrances. Instead of selling full-sized versions of both, the machines would dispense mini-packs, just enough number of matches or cigarettes to get the smoker through his pre- or post-trip nicotine doldrums. Matches, of course, could be sold for a nominal fee, perhaps 50 cents for a half-book, and cigarettes may either be sold in half-packs (as they do in foreign countries such as the United Kingdom) or individually. This would especially be favorable to smokers who can't find their preferred brand at the airport and who just want a cigarette or two of any variety to hold them over until they arrive at their final destination.

These machines, of course, do not have to be designed like the traditional cigarette machines found in many smoky bars and restaurants. They can be an exercise in aesthetics, adding to the outside quality of the airport (indeed, many new ashtrays around airports are often great examples of "enlightened" design for such a base item). These machines could design-wise even integrate ash trays, thus providing smokers with an all-in-one solution for their nicotine needs.

mieszkoi, Jan 25 2008

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Comments from other members:

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The next step in smoking laws will be a total ban on public smoking.

Why help people to commit slow suicide ?

Belmont, Jan 25 2008

Cigarette machines are on their way to becoming phased out completely. How could you keep children from using them?

You said it's anything but convenient for smokers at aiports, but some airports (like Atlanta) have smoking rooms. I've never understood this, especially with so many buildings becoming smoke-free. The smoke even drifts into the main terminal when the automatic doors open. Disgusting.

Sorry if I sound biased, but I really don't feel like we should be accommodating smokers and supporting this unhealthy habit. Smokers cost taxpayers millions (i f not billions) every year in healthcare costs.

thefauxredhead, Jan 28 2008

Maybe some nicotine gum or patches could be dispensed--or carried by the passenger?

Roger Knights, Jul 08 2008

The comments should focus on the idea as viewed by a capitalist. I understand that smoking is unwanted by a majority of the population. However, this is not a forum for the moralistic to judge the smokers, it is to judge the idea. With that said, this is a highly impractical idea; given the cost of development, labor and fuel to collect money from and restock the machines, and the law team that would be needed to research and obtain permits to operate the machines. Additionally, there are far too many states that do not allow tobacco vending machines by law.

joegreen, Jul 21 2008