Effective January 1^st, 2008 The Prince George Airport became a smoke free environment. Ahead of proposed provincial and federal legislation the airport authority implemented a comprehensive new non smoking policy prohibiting smoking at the Prince George Airport.

 All persons on airport property will no longer be permitted to smoke in any location at the airport with the exception of within their own personal vehicles.

“This new initiative is being implemented to improve the cleanliness of the airport, the air quality, the overall health and well being of all individuals working and, visiting our airport,  thus improving the overall customer experience.” Stieg Hoeg, Airport General Manager explained “ Over the last few years we have worked to find solutions to accommodate all groups, unfortunately the negative effects continued and our customer feedback supported moving to this initiative.”

In October the PGAA announced this new initiative to tenants and employees, lending some time before being asked to go cold turkey. Signs and placards, as well as informational messages being broadcast throughout the terminal areas are being used to communicate the No Smoking message. “We are realistic in our expectation that compliance may not happen overnight, however we believe this will become easier over time.” Hoeg says. “Two days into this new policy a decrease in smoking has already been observed.”

In November of 2007 the British Columbia provincial government announced tougher smoking regulations effective March 31^st 2008.

These new regulations include: