No vaping on airplanes (USA)

debatedude · Mar 3, 2016

Electronic cigarettes banned on all commercial flights in, to, and from USA

WASHINGTON, DC – US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced a final rule that explicitly bans the use of electronic cigarettes on commercial flights. The final rule applies to all scheduled flights of US and foreign carriers involving transportation in, to, and from the US.

“This final rule is important because it protects airline passengers from unwanted exposure to aerosol fumes that occur when electronic cigarettes are used onboard airplanes,” said Secretary Foxx. “The Department took a practical approach to eliminate any confusion between tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes by applying the same restrictions to both.”

The final rule, to be published in the Federal Register, clarifies that the Department’s airline smoking rule prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes and similar products in addition to the existing prohibition on the smoking of tobacco products.

The Department views its current regulatory smoking ban to be sufficiently broad to include the use of electronic cigarettes; however, the prior rule did not explicitly define “smoking.” The Department took this action to eliminate any confusion over whether its ban includes electronic cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes cause concern because studies have shown that e-cigarette aerosol can contain a number of harmful chemicals. While further study is needed to fully understand the risks, the Department believes that a precautionary approach is best. The Department is particularly concerned that vulnerable populations (such as children, the elderly, and passengers with respiratory issues) would be exposed to the aerosol within a confined space, without the opportunity to avoid the chemicals.

This rule explicitly bans the use of electronic cigarettes in all forms, including but not limited to electronic cigars, pipes, and devices designed to look like everyday products such as pens. The ban does not include the use of medical devices such as a nebulizers.

The Department also extended the ban on smoking, including electronic cigarettes, to all charter (nonscheduled) flights of U.S. carriers and foreign air carriers where a flight attendant is a required crewmember. This change was necessary to implement the Department’s rule with a 2012 statutory amendment that extended the smoking ban to include all flights where a flight attendant is a required crewmember.

The rulemaking finalized today is a part of the Department’s broader effort to strengthen airline passenger rights and improve information available to the public.

The Department’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) previously addressed safety concerns regarding the transport of electronic cigarettes. In October 2015, PHMSA issued an interim final rule prohibiting passengers from carrying battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices in checked baggage and prohibiting them from charging these devices or batteries on board aircraft.

Click to expand...

So...no vaping in the head. No stealth vaping under a blanket. At least vape gear can still be transported aboard the plane.

Siam Diesel · Mar 3, 2016

debatedude said: ↑

So...no vaping in the head. No stealth vaping under a blanket.

Click to expand...

Yeah, but this isn't a change...neither of these were 'allowed' before this reg.

I'm more concerned with the passage about e-cig aerosol containing "a number of harmful chemicals". Everything I've read to date indicates that this is pure BS.

debatedude · Mar 3, 2016

True, but we are talking about a government regulatory agency - not the sharpest tools in the shed.

Longtail1 · Mar 3, 2016

The other reasoin for this has to be not lack of understanding by the governing bodies but even more the general public. It is seen by many people all over the world as the same as cigarettes and harmful. mainly because of the BS "Research" that is being quoted ad-nauseum by the FDA Big tobacco big pharma anti vaping and smoking groups as well as the governments, while genuine research is being ignored. This means that the airlines will be leaving themselves open to frivilous law suits as well as constant complaints on board the planes from the passengers. As much as I hate the idea it makes sense that they would ban it on all airlines regardless of the individual airline policies.

Tibo · Mar 3, 2016

Unless they change the smoke detector in the toilet for a laser one, you'll be safe stealth vaping there

Lyss · Mar 3, 2016

"The ban does not include the use of medical devices such as a nebulizers."
This can be a way around.

lordofthedread · Mar 3, 2016

I totally understand that blowing clouds (even if it is not harmful) should be regulated.

I can totally understand the non-smoker, non-vaper not wanting to inhale what we exhale. I personally always thought that use of e-cigs in planes were forbidden.....

BKKPOO · Mar 3, 2016

I am old enough to have sat in a passenger plane that had ashtrays built into the arm rests. But I guess there was a time when second hand smoke was not an issue. I guess cabin fire was not an issue as well.

Imagine a 20 hr flight with a dozen smokers.

Siam Diesel · Mar 3, 2016

BKKPOO said: ↑

Imagine a 20 hr flight with a dozen smokers.

Click to expand...

Flights in Russia still allow smoking (or they did a few years back when I was there).

And once on an Alitalia flight, I was sitting in the first row behind the smoking section...the minute the no-smoking light went off, a thick cloud of smoke arose from that section as everyone lit up. It was ugly!

Neilly · Mar 4, 2016

Siam Diesel said: ↑

It was ugly!

Click to expand...

Many moons ago I was on a internal Alyemda flight and the was no separate smoking section...the plane took off and just about every passenger lit up...after about 10mins you couldn't see the front of the passenger cabin from the back...even tho I was a smoker then it was very bad!

Log in

No vaping on airplanes (USA)

debatedude Thread Starter Mech Moderator Staff Member

Siam Diesel Nauti Moderator Staff Member

debatedude Thread Starter Mech Moderator Staff Member

Longtail1 Vaping Troll

Tibo French Hedonist

Lyss Well-Known Member

lordofthedread Professional Lurker

BKKPOO Well-Known Member

Siam Diesel Nauti Moderator Staff Member

Neilly Flavour Chaser

Share This Page

Log in

No vaping on airplanes (USA)

debatedude Thread Starter Mech Moderator Staff Member

Siam Diesel Nauti Moderator Staff Member

debatedude Thread Starter Mech Moderator Staff Member

Longtail1 Vaping Troll

Tibo French Hedonist

Lyss Well-Known Member

lordofthedread Professional Lurker

BKKPOO Well-Known Member

Siam Diesel Nauti Moderator Staff Member

Neilly Flavour Chaser

Share This Page

Useful Searches