Smoking areas OK'd at airport for 6 months

— -- Smokers at Indianapolis International Airport have been given a six-month reprieve from the proposed all-campus smoking ban.

After last week's 6-1 vote by the Indianapolis International Airport Board allowing airport Director Robert Duncan to approve outdoor designated smoking areas, airport officials have specified those areas at the far ends of the terminal.

Through June 30, smokers will be permitted to light up at the open area south of the US Airways entrance and the covered area between the United and Skybridge B & C entrances, both on the upper passenger dropoff area.

Lower-level smoking spots are the island area across from the airport police headquarters, the covered area near taxi staging and the grass island between the parking garage and the terminal.

Duncan also has the authority to approve any request from airport-property tenants seeking designated outdoor smoking areas.

"We wanted to give our passengers and employees some time to get used to the fact that the airport will eventually be all smoke-free," said airport spokeswoman Susan Williams.

Temporary signs have been posted at the airport, and smokers are being asked to move to the designated areas, without being fined.

Duncan said last week that the ordinance would include fines, "but we plan to go more with passive enforcement the first year."

After June 30, smoking outdoors anywhere on the airport grounds will be prohibited except in privately owned vehicles.

Smoking restrictions that took effect Jan. 1 in the original smoke-free ordinance, which the board passed June 15, included the closing of the terminal's indoor smoking room.

The ordinance also prohibits smoking in any airport-owned vehicle, in any airport building, structure or facility, and in some operations and maintenance areas.

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