Detroit Metro Airport official cancels plans for lounge with cigar-smoking area

A request for proposals for a lounge at Detroit Metro Airport that included an enclosed cigar-smoking area has been canceled by the CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority, officials said. The agency that runs the Romulus-based DTW announced the decision during a Wednesday board of directors meeting, with CEO Chad Newton citing recommendations from “key executives.” In a written statement, Newton said that after “extensive analysis,” the current temporary financial and economic uncertainty linked to the closure of Spirit Airlines makes it inappropriate to pursue “novel or untested concessions” at the airport. The plan drew opposition from Michigan groups, including the Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco-Free Coalition, which funded anti-indoor-smoking billboards near the airport last year. The American Heart Association said the cancellation protects employees and travelers from secondhand smoke and supports Michigan’s efforts toward smoke-free spaces. The RFP had been issued on Oct. 1, 2025, and required state-of-the-art ventilation to reduce smoke exposure.