Three-Part Smoke Emission
In a departure from the norm, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, has introduced a 500 ruble fee for using its smoking rooms, a move that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the ethics of profiting from passengers' needs.
Unlike many European airports, such as Frankfurt in Germany and Suvarnabhumi in Thailand, which provide smoking areas or lounges as part of their standard passenger services without imposing extra fees, Pulkovo's smoking room charge stands out as an anomaly.
The high fee has been met with criticism, with many arguing that it turns a necessary convenience into a luxury and exploits the lack of alternatives for smokers. Nikolai Yaremenko, the editor-in-chief of the RosBalt news agency and an associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, has expressed concerns that the high price leaves a feeling that the airport cares more about squeezing every last ruble out of each person in its monopoly zone than passenger comfort or public order.
The cost of maintaining a smoking room, including cleaning and ventilation, is usually covered by airport operational budgets rather than user fees. Moreover, most international airports offer smoking rooms free of charge to ensure passenger comfort and comply with standard aviation hospitality norms. Charging for smoking rooms may be viewed as punitive or an inconvenience, pushing smokers to less regulated areas, which can cause hygiene and safety problems.
Nikolai Yaremenko also points out that the smoking room at Pulkovo is not just a place for a quick smoke, but a reflection of societal willingness to pay for "conveniences" and others' willingness to charge high prices. Some people question the ethics of profiting from people's weaknesses, specifically smokers, when they have no alternative.
Representatives of the authorities have taken note of the issue, and the topic is currently under discussion. Smokers at Pulkovo are paying passengers who are seeking a place to smoke without breaking rules or bothering others. The controversy raises important questions about the balance between revenue generation and passenger comfort and safety in airport facilities.
The new fee for using the smoking rooms at Pulkovo Airport runs contrary to the practice of many other European airports, such as Frankfurt in Germany and Suvarnabhumi in Thailand, where smoking areas are provided as part of standard services without charging extra.
Nikolai Yaremenko, the editor-in-chief of RosBalt news agency, questions the ethics of this move, suggesting that the airport exploits smokers' lack of alternatives by charging for a necessary convenience like a health-and-wellness facility, and potentially pushing smokers to less regulated areas, which could compromise hygiene and safety.
