Smoking and Vaping on Flights: A Continuing Safety Hazard

Strategic Insights -

Travellers departing from Luton Airport have been reminded of the strict no-smoking and no-vaping policy on commercial flights. Despite the ban, which was introduced in 1997, some passengers are still unaware of the rules, which prohibit smoking and vaping in the cabin, toilets, and anywhere else on board. The Luton Airport Policing Team has issued a warning, stating that smoking and vaping on planes can result in fines, arrests, or even flight bans. The ban includes e-cigarettes, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Union enforced a full ban on smoking on all flights within EU airspace in 1997, with most airlines adopting similar policies globally.
  • Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited on all commercial flights, including in the cabin, toilets, and anywhere else on board.
  • The Luton Airport Policing Team reports receiving regular phone calls from airlines about passengers smoking and vaping on planes.
  • Both Wizz Air and easyJet have strict rules prohibiting smoking on board their aircraft, with severe consequences for those who attempt to smoke.
  • The policing team warns that smoking and vaping on planes can result in fines, arrests, or even flight bans, and is "extremely dangerous" for passengers.

Statistics:

  • 28 years have passed since the EU enforced a full ban on smoking on all flights within EU airspace.
  • The majority of airlines had adopted similar policies and the ban was rolled out globally by the late 1990s.
  • Wizz Air and easyJet's policies prohibit smoking on board their aircraft, with severe consequences for those who attempt to smoke.

Sources:

  • "Luton Airport Policing Team" (no date)
  • Wizz Air's guide (no date)
  • easyJet's policy (no date)