Smoking is prohibited on planes

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Why is smoking prohibited on airplanes?? Aviation being the most regulated industry in the world, everything has a reason and a situation that led to this measure. we tell you.

Despite the fact that I am not a smoker and personally I do not like this habit, I thought it appropriate to create this space to answer some questions from readers who are, especially, because it is a very interesting subject and that has rarely been discussed.

Like almost everything in aviation, a ban stems from a accident or air incident where a certain operation of an aircraft was put at risk and in the case of smoking, even though it was so popular, common and legal to do so for many years, now it is totally and absolutely prohibited and even, It can bring you legal problems if you were to do so.

basic rules of flying

as well we know, exist basic rules of flying that many of us already know, how to fasten your seatbelt for takeoff and landing, recline seat, do not obstruct emergency exits or close the table for food and also, no smoking anywhere on the plane, even in the bathrooms.

Currently, also electronic cigarettes are prohibited from being used inside any aircraft.

When was smoking banned on airplanes??

It all started in Australia, when in 1987 this country prohibited passengers from smoking on domestic flights and in 1990 they extended it to international flights. During 1988 this measure comes to the United States when the Federal Aviation Administration – FAA prohibited smoking on flights of duration less than 2 hours with a fine of $2.000 dollars for those who tamper with the smoke detectors located in the restrooms of the plane, this measure and fine is still in force to this day and ten years after it was extended to all international flights.

Risks of smoking on a plane

as we anticipate, These measures in aviation were born or were reinforced after unfortunate plane accidents and also due to the serious effects on health, for both smokers and those who inhale smoke unintentionally.

The most important risk root cause for the ban, it was health. During the years that this measure was allowed, the appearance of respiratory diseases and even cancer was verified when the medical scope of this deadly disease was known in cabin crew, pilots and even, frequent flyers.

No less important is the safety of the flight in the face of the potential risk of fire. It must be taken into account that airplanes are made of thousands of pieces and parts, which includes fabrics and rugs that could be highly flammable in the face of a heat source and also, the fuel found in the wings of airplanes or tanks, which also potentially release flammable gases.

Let's remember that even the pilots could smoke during the flight, Just think about the risks of a fire at 20 thousand feet high.

Plane accidents due to smoking

Yes, there have been air accidents by people who have smoked on a plane such as the following well-known cases:

• Varig flight 820 the 11 of July 1973: the boeing plane 707 PP-VJZ had taken off from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to Orly in France. Given to fire in the cabin, the plane had to make an emergency landing in a field, what caused the death of 123 people and only 11 survivors. The investigation determined that a passenger threw a cigarette butt into the bathroom trash can., starting the fire. Subsequently, the FAA instructed that all aircraft must have signs that tell passengers not to do so..
• Air Canada flight 797 the 2 June 1983: the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft covered the route from Dallas Fort Worth in the United States to Montreal in Canada. Due to fire generated in the airplane bathroom, They had to make an emergency landing in Cincinnati., where they died 23 passengers and survived 23. Although the origin of the flight was not determined, a cigarette would have been the obvious cause.

There are other accidents where the potential cause, it would have been a cigarette like the de Havilland Express the 2 October 1935 or the CAAC flight on 24 from December to 1982.

Why are there still ashtrays on airplanes??

Until very recently, it was an obligation that all planes have ashtrays in each of the seats, with the aim that if any passenger, for some illogical reason it occurred to him to break the strict rules, have a place to turn it off immediately and safely without compromising safety.

Currently, In the newer airplanes, individual ashtrays are no longer found and only have some located in certain places such as the bathrooms and even, they no longer have the upper light sign that you can not smoke.

Despite these changes, Passengers will always be reminded of the prohibition and corresponding fine by the crew and security cards.

What if I am a smoker?

• You can smoke before the flight in certain places at the airport such as VIP lounges or restaurants that have specific spaces for it.
• Keep busy during the flight by reading a book, watching a movie or sleeping to overcome anxiety.
• Bring sweets to eat at times of greatest anxiety.

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