Collect cash: 500 rubles for transportation to the airport
In a surprising turn of events, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, has recently implemented charges for using special smoking areas, effective from July 1, 2025. This new trend, currently a pilot or isolated case, has sparked controversy and raised questions about potential antimonopoly law violations.
For a single visit to the commercial smoking room, passengers will be charged 500 rubles, while another smoking area inside a restaurant remains accessible, albeit with a minimum food purchase of 1,500 rubles. The airport authorities justify these fees as necessary to cover the costs of maintaining and supervising these smoking rooms [1].
However, other Russian airports, such as major ones with multiple smoking terraces, have not followed suit and continue to offer smoking areas without charges [2]. The FAS has yet to issue any official statements regarding the inquiries made by Sergei Boyarsky, Chairman of the State Duma's Information Policy Committee, and Denis Chertybok, a legislator of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly [3].
The move towards paid smoking rooms can be seen as an attempt to regulate and limit smoking spaces in airports, potentially aiming to reduce tobacco smoke exposure and associated health risks. However, the broader public reactions and societal opinions regarding this change remain undocumented [1].
It's worth noting that free, equipped outdoor smoking areas remain available as an alternative at Pulkovo Airport [4]. The airport administration argues that the introduction of fees is essential to cover expenses for cleaning and maintaining the smoking area, as well as to pay a new employee who will monitor attendance [5].
The decision to charge for smoking rooms was prompted by incidents where passengers disregarded the established limit on the number of people in the room, causing ventilation issues and smoke leaks [6]. Concerns have been raised that this fee might lead some passengers to smoke in less suitable areas, potentially impacting the airport's reputation [7].
As the first Russian airport to charge for access to smoking rooms, Pulkovo Airport's move has been met with criticism, particularly given the frequent delays in flights, which could leave passengers spending several hours at the airport [8]. The full implications and further developments of this new policy are yet to be seen.
References: [1] [Link to source 1] [2] [Link to source 2] [3] [Link to source 3] [4] [Link to source 4] [5] [Link to source 5] [6] [Link to source 6] [7] [Link to source 7] [8] [Link to source 8]
In contrast to the special smoking areas at Pulkovo Airport, other airports in Russia do not charge fees for smoking areas, offering them without charges [2]. Meanwhile, passionate debates ensue in sports forums discussing the possibility of introducing similar fees in public sports facilities.
