Despite reassuring announcements that Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is a “smoke-free” airport, yourstruly during a recent trip from Asia to Holland, was greetedby revolting carcinogenic smells when he arrived at Schipholin the early hours of the morning.

The disgusting “welcome” makes a complete mockery of the regular instructions to passengers to only smoke in designated areas, which happen to be the food courts and coffee shops in the airport complex.

Non-smokers are therefore well advised to bring their own food and drinks when entering the airport premises, because restaurants and their immediate surroundings are high-risk carcinogenic centres thanks to second-hand smoke. In typical Dutch fashion, no one apparently gives a hoot about non-smoking signs, which are posted throughout the airport, while airport staff is totally uninterested in even trying to stop someone who lights up, afraid to risk a major argument or even a fi ght with the tobacco addicts.

Attempts by non-smoker organisations to have a real and total smoke ban imposed at Schiphol, have been met with utter disdain by the airport authority. Non-smokers, wherever possible, should avoid the Dutch gateway and instead use secondary airports in Holland and Belgium, or bring face masks.