JTI opens Geneva smoking lounge

JTI unveiled its latest smoking lounge, in Geneva International airport’s transit area, yesterday. The lounge departs from the traditional cigarette product branding of previous facilities by featuring JTI’s corporate identity, a move JTI executive vice-president, CFO and deputy CEO Yasushi Shingai (pictured, right) said reflected the company’s pride at being a “corporate citizen” of Geneva, where the company is based.

 

Geneva International airport general manager Robert Deillon (pictured, far right) said that the airport chose to work with JTI after a selection process involving tobacco companies when the airport decided to adopt a more “consistent and stringent” policy on smoking.

 

The facility is centrally located, on the mezzanine level above the airport’s main shopping concourse. JTI worked with Geneva airport and concessionaire The Nuance Group to find the optimum position for the facility in order not to compromise commercial revenues from other operations.

 

Speaking at the inauguration, Shingai said that by the end of 2008 JTI will have smoking lounges or stations in 17 international airports, with combined traffic of over 200m passengers a year. The company launched its first smoking station, At Zurich International airport, in 2003.

He said: “Geneva airport meets the needs of 10m passengers a year. Statistically, about a quarter of them are likely to be smokers…Here in Geneva you’ll find a well designed, attractively lit, centrally located and contemporary space that is convenient to retail and other facilities. JTI is pleased to be Geneva’s partner in this project.