A passenger with a cigarette in her hand. Image: dr
Switzerland’s largest airport has launched new smoking areas. The Lung League is critical of this measure, which also concerns the CFF.
Benjamin Weinmann / CH Media
Those who discover Switzerland for the first time will undoubtedly look forward to breathing the pure mountain air. However, when they arrive at Zurich airport, they risk being disappointed. Clouds of smoke often greet travelers as soon as the sliding doors of the arrival area open.
“I cough every time and I’m shocked that Switzerland doesn’t have stricter smoking laws”
An American who often goes to Switzerland
In fact, smoking areas often start right next to terminal entrances and exits. But the borders drawn on the ground do not act in the air. And as a site visit this week shows, even prohibited areas are not always respected.
A non-smoking area at Zurich Airport.
16 smoking areas
A few weeks ago, the airport opened two smoking areas in the arrival halls. Spokesperson Andrea Bärwalde suggests that he wants to take into consideration the needs of passengers who are inconvenienced by smokers:
“Ideally, we should therefore not smoke directly at the entrance and exit of our buildings”
Andrea Bärwalde, spokesperson for Zurich Airport
Currently, the airport has 16 smoking areas. These are usually ventilated rooms with glass doors, located in the middle of the terminals, in which the consumption of cigarettes is permitted.
A smoking area at Zurich Airport. Image: Shutterstock
With the exception of the two new smoking rooms, all the others are sponsored by tobacco manufacturers, who can build them themselves. Andrea Bärwalde does not specify whether the cooperation is only aimed at covering costs or whether the airport makes a profit from the advertising contracts.
In a recently closed Camel salon, it reads: “To smoke, please use the outdoor area, on the right after Starbucks, towards the taxi rank”. Why is there no mention of the two new interior spaces in the arrival halls? “We have decided to indicate the closest smoking area possible,” explains the spokesperson.
Smoking rooms are not without risks
According to a 2017 U.S. Department of Health study, 46% of the world’s largest airports were smoke-free. The report, which has caught the attention of the aviation industry, indicates that smoke can spread from smoking areas, whether outdoors or indoors, to non-smoking areas and harm the health of employees. and airport passengers. It is impossible to safely inhale tobacco smoke, whether directly or indirectly.
“We are not aware of the study mentioned. Our smoking areas are perfectly equipped in terms of ventilation and are closed”
Andrea Bärwalde, spokesperson for Zurich Airport
Still, for the Lung League, the situation at Zurich airport is not satisfactory. The association defends the interests of people suffering from respiratory disabilities, lung diseases or tuberculosis. Claudia Künzli, head of the Prevention sector within the organization, explains:
“Smoking areas should clearly be positioned further from entrances, so that other passengers do not have to suffer from passive smoke”
Claudia Künzli, head of the Prevention sector
“Passive smoke is harmful”
The expert also criticizes the clearly visible location of smoking areas. These would suggest that smoking is the norm. However, the opposite is true: “76% of the Swiss population does not smoke”. She emphasizes that it is much more than a “simple olfactory nuisance”.
“Passive smoke is harmful because it contains almost the same toxic and carcinogenic substances as tobacco smoke. Even if the concentration of harmful substances is lower outdoors, it still continues to harm our health.
Claudia Künzli is open to the idea of making the expertise of the Lung League available to the airport: “We are happy to look for better solutions with those responsible.” It remains to be seen whether the airport feels the need. According to Andrea Bärwalde, there have only been two complaints in the last two years.
A smoker at Zurich airport. Image: Shutterstock
The CFF is also concerned
The smoking debate is not limited to the airport. Claudia Künzli recalls that the Lung League has had repeated contacts with the CFF in recent years, because travelers regularly complain about exposure to passive smoke in stations.
“These complaints have not stopped, even after the SBB introduced defined smoking areas on the platforms”
The prevention expert speaks of a “half measure”, on the one hand because smokers would not respect these dedicated zones, and on the other hand because passive smoke would exceed these limits.
“Compared to neighboring countries, we are lagging behind”
“We see the same thing in sports stadiums,” says Claudia Künzli. “In the interest of their at-risk supporters, who contact us frequently, we regularly ask stadium operators to make their facilities completely smoke-free. Unfortunately, without success so far.
The non-profit organization also advocates for other smoke-free zones, for example at bus and tram stops or on restaurant terraces, which are reportedly the subject of recurring complaints. “We are behind compared to neighboring countries,” laments Claudia Künzli.
“The federal law on protection against passive smoking was introduced in 2010 and has never since been adapted to the new social trend”
Künzli
The Public Transport Union decided in 2018 to introduce “smoke-free stations with smoking areas on platforms” throughout Switzerland. This measure was intended to improve the quality of guests’ stay thanks to greater cleanliness and a more pleasant smell.
No smoking sign.Image: Shutterstock
But the numerous prohibition signs – on the ground, on posts or walls – are not taken seriously by all travelers. This is evidenced by the numerous cigarette butts on the ground. And sometimes, despite the prohibition sign, an ashtray is located a few steps away.
A stricter law in Geneva
However, CFF spokesperson Fabienne Wittwer says:
“The vast majority of smokers respect the rules of the game”
Travelers who do not comply with smoke-free regulations are approached and informed of the designated smoking areas on the platforms or near the access points, explains Fabienne Wittwer. However, the SBB “does not keep statistics on the number of cases”. Negative feedback from customers remains limited.
From the point of view of the Lung League, there is nevertheless hope for stricter protection of non-smokers. As proof, the canton of Geneva introduced at the beginning of this year a ban on smoking in open-air public placessuch as bus stops, playgrounds and schools. Failure to comply with this ban is punishable by a fine of up to 1000 francs..
“Let us hope that this example will soon become a lesson throughout Switzerland”
Claudia Künzli
Translated from German by Anne Castella
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