The transportation Department in the US made an announcement that they are prohibiting electronic cigarettes on commercial flights. On the issued statement of the department on Wednesday, the new rule applies to all U.S. scheduled flights to and from the US as for domestic and foreign carriers.
A0ccording to the Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, "This final rule is important because it protects airline passengers from unwanted exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol that occurs when electronic cigarettes are used onboard airplanes," Forbes quoted.
The reason of banning is to avoid confusion over between tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes by applying the same restrictions to both, according to Yahoo News. Since 2010, Obama's administration started considering these bans and eventually the ban was proposed in September 2011. The effort is also supported by major airline companies, public health organizations, pilots and flight attendants.
The department also said, studies shows that e-cigarettes contain "harmful chemicals" and stated that they were taking a "precautionary approach", especially concerning vulnerable populations "such as children, the elderly, and passengers with respiratory issues," Ars Technica reported.
Congress banned all smoking on airline flights in 2000, and no U.S. airline allows electronic cigarette use. But the Transportation Department said some charter flights may have allowed the practice. The rule bans all types of electronic smoking products, including cigars and pipes.
Most airlines previously banned the smoking of e-cigarettes, but the Transportation Department has now also prohibited passengers from packing them in checked luggage because they reportedly have been known spark fire.
Foxx also explained, the ban is intended to protect passengers from "unwanted exposure to aerosol fumes." The fumes are produced by the smoking of e-cigarettes. It is also expected to become effective 30 days after it is published. The U.S. Transportation Department also extended its ban against smoking to charter flights on which a flight attendant is a required crew member.
