Srinagar, January 9, 2025: A smoking zone that was recently inaugurated within the Security Hold Area near Gate 07 at Srinagar International Airport has been criticized. The new facility, which was announced by the airport’s official social media account on January 6, 2025, promised to offer a designated space for smokers to enjoy a smoke break. However, the announcement quickly drew strong reactions from netizens.
Public Backlash on Social Media
The post on the official account read: “Exciting News! Today, 06.01.2025, a smoking zone has been inaugurated inside the Security Hold Area near Gate 07 at #SrinagarAirport. Travellers can now have a designated space to take a break for a smoke.” If the idea behind it was for smokers, quite a few were asking on X (formerly Twitter) why one would want it in a public place, how it was somehow against the growing public health movements and the ongoing campaigns against smoking.
One user criticized the move, saying, “This is great news for non-smokers, as they will no longer have to endure secondhand smoke.” Another pointed out that, instead of celebrating the smoking area, the airport should have issued a warning for smokers. A third, who was a little more subtle, said that, yes, the smokers would continue to smoke but at least having a smoking place was not a worse option than exposing the entire public to secondhand smoke. However, this person still insisted on stiffer rules and increased punishments for public smoking.
Prominent Medical Expert Cites Reasons to Oppose the Decision
Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, an Indian famous hepatologist, condemned the decision. He made the following remark on social media, “Day-by-day new India keeps reminding me that this is a majority of stupids for the stupids, by the stupids. Exciting inauguration of a smoking area in an airport. Morons.” His statement reflects health concerns that several people feel are being glossed over with such facilities.
Airport Deletes Post Amid Controversy
The backlash happened very fast and made the Srinagar Airport delete the social media post within a day. This may have been a result of the majority negative response because most people pointed to the possible dangers to public health from a smoking zone at the airport.
Public Health Concerns
Critics argue that the development of a smoking area in the airport is not the right signal for smoking, especially in an airport, which is a public place, and it contains children and vulnerable adults of all ages. It is claimed to undermine efforts at reducing smoking and creating cleaner and healthier environments. Others support it because a designated area will prevent secondhand smoke from affecting nonsmokers.
The decision to have a smoking zone at Srinagar Airport, which is intended to satisfy the smokers, has raised many public debates regarding health priorities, public spaces, and the message such facilities give. It only remains to be seen if the airport will revisit its approach on smoking areas given the growing opposition.