The unassuming baggage handler was among several heroic members of the public who wrestled the suicide bombers to the ground after their failed bid to drive a burning jeep into the airport terminal.
His straight-talking interview in the aftermath of the incident was shown around the world.
"You're no hitting the polis, mate, there's nae chance. Glasgow doesnae accept this; if you come tae Glasgow, we'll set about ye," he told a BBC reporter.
Faster than a speeding bullet, the website JohnSmeaton.com was created in his honour, asking visitors to stand him a pint in a local hotel.
At last count, there were enough pledges to keep Mr Smeaton in beer for some time to come. And within a just a few days, the site had witnessed more than 500,000 hits from fans as far afield as Australia and Shetland.
Meanwhile, there have been comparisons with action stars. He has been likened to terrorist-killer Jack Bauer, from TV drama 24, and computer-generated images of him as Superman and Bruce Willis in the Die Hard series have popped up online. There’s also a T-shirt, for sale at £14.99, bearing his face and the logo "What Would John Smeaton Do?"
See more at www.johnsmeaton.com/