UKRAINE. JT International (JTI) has unveiled 14 Winston Smoker Stations at Kiev Borispol International Airport aimed at the smoking traveller.
“Allowing smokers to smoke, while respecting the rights of non-smokers, is a top priority for JTI,” said JTI Vice President for Worldwide Duty Free Edouard Touma.
“Over the last three years, smoking lounges and stations, pioneered and driven by JTI, have had tremendous success in major European and Asian airports, where the travellers’ well-being is a priority. Ukraine is another strategic key market of JTI rolling out this exciting concept,” he added.
Other airports that have embraced the concept include Athens, Bali, Taipei, Casablanca, Frankfurt, Moscow, Zurich, Marrakech, Agadir, Ho Chi Min City and Dubai.
According to JTI, this concept was borne out of the rise in public smoking legislation, driving airports and airlines to become “smoke free.” The designation of smoking areas allows travelling smokers to congregate while protecting non-smokers from being exposed to tobacco smoke.
The Smoking Station concept is designed to accommodate the highest possible number of smokers within a widely spread location like Kiev Borispol.
All units are equipped with a custom designed ventilation system and are easily identifiable by travelling smokers.
Being easily moveable, they offer flexibility to airport operators, said JTI. Operators can also benefit from new advertising locations by creating new spaces within airports. All stations are indicated by light boxes and are branded with Winston, the premium cigarette brand.
To date, 90 smoking stations have been installed in Frankfurt, another eight in Athens and 24 in Moscow Sheremetyevo II.
But the numbers won’t stop there, according to Touma: “By end 2007, we will be in a total of 14 international airports, with 34 lounges and over 125 stations, communicating with potential traffic of 180 million passengers per year.”
“This is a win-win solution for all parties: the smoking public is looked after and the airport maximizes floor space revenues,” he enthused.
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“[The smoking station concept] is a win-win solution for all parties: the smoking public is looked after and the airport maximizes floor space revenues,” says JTI Vice President for Worldwide Duty Free Edouard Touma | |
About JT International
JT International is a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco, Inc., said to be the world’s third largest international manufacturer of tobacco products. JT’s portfolio includes cigarette brands like Camel, Winston and Mild Seven; as well as Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, L&D, Sobranie and Glamour. Total tobacco net sales amount to US$14.4 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI is present in over 60 markets with 23,000 employees, and sales activities in over 120 countries.
Visit www.jti.com.
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