ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Dr. Dwain Eckberg, a Medical College of Virginia Hospitals physician, wants to use the Americans with Disabilities Act to protect travelers with respiratory problems.
Eckberg targeted the airport in the city that is home to the world's largest cigarette factory on grounds that travelers must pass through the smoking area to get to and from the terminal and the gates.
``You can't get to the plane without breathing smoke,'' said Eckberg, who said he travels frequently. Richmond, he said, ``is one of the few airports I know of where passengers are required to breathe smoke.''
The Transportation Department does not regulate smoking in airports, which are owned and run by localities. But many airports do not allow smoking in public areas.
Richmond airport officials said they are sensitive to smoking complaints, but also to the rights of smokers in an area where tobacco is crucial to the economy.
Philip Morris manufactures Marlboro and other brands at its plant in Richmond. Tobacco is a major cash crop in rural areas southwest of the city.
Philip Morris and Avis Rent A Car have the most prominent signs at the airport, above escalators that lead from the gateways to the main terminal.
``It's a difficult and complex issue, particularly in our part of the world,'' said David Kaechle, head of the Capital Region Airport Commission, which runs Richmond International.
The airport terminal is shaped like the letter Y, with the terminal lobby at the letter's base and gate areas branching left and right. The designated smoking areas are marked by large blue signs in the hallways leading to the gate areas. The main lobby and bar also allow smoking, though no signs are posted.
Smaller and inconspicuous red signs alert travelers that smoking isn't allowed in the gate areas.
The airport commission is considering building a smoking lounge and restaurant off the most heavily used concourse, as well as a smoking lounge on the other concourse.
Until those are built, however, smoking probably won't be restricted in the hallways.
David Blackshear, the airport's executive director, said the smoking areas were designated four years ago to keep smoking out of the concourses.
He said smoking is a stress-reliever for many nervous travelers, and ``eliminating the smoking only makes the stress worse.''
But even smokers are divided on the issue.
Dan Jenkins of Nashville, Tenn., is a smoker and frequent flyer who visits the Richmond airport regularly. He said he wants to be able to smoke while waiting for his flight, but understands that nonsmokers find the practice offensive.
``I have wondered about the layout [of the smoking areas] of this airport ever since I've been traveling here,'' he said. ``I've never seen an airport where the general public is mixed in with the smokers.''
Janine Alexander of Philadelphia said she chose a seat in the airport's smoking area to watch the planes arrive and depart. Although no smokers were present, she said she could smell the lingering scent of a cigarette.
``I don't smoke and don't care to be around people who do,'' she said. ``All the medical studies say it's harmful.''
Transportation Department officials said a ruling on Eckberg's request will follow a public comment period that ends Thursday.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB