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We congratulate Mayor Jackie Biskupski for her decision to eliminate smoking rooms from the Salt Lake City International Airport. With this change, Salt Lake joins the vast majority of large U.S. airports that are completely smoke-free.
It has long been known that smoking-related cancers are the leading cause of all cancer deaths, and by considering the long-term impact of smoking on overall health, this decision puts the health of all travelers and airport employees first.
We recognize this change may create challenges for individuals who smoke. As physicians, we encourage people who smoke to use proven nicotine replacement therapies while they travel, and to seek out opportunities to quit, which we hope will help them avert suffering and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
We applaud this decision to eliminate smoking at our airport, which makes it a healthier place for everyone and is also supportive of our broader community efforts to make our air healthier.
Tamara Sheffield, M.D.
Medical Director of Community Health and Prevention, Intermountain Healthcare
Charles W. Sorenson, M.D., FACS
President and CEO, Intermountain Healthcare