DOT wants to explicitly ban the use of electronic cigarettes
on aircraft. Electronic cigarettes, which deliver nicotine or
other substances to the smoker in the form of a vapor, are cause
for concern because little is known about their ingredients. Although
DOT says its current ban on smoking of tobacco products is “sufficiently
broad” to include use of electronic cigarettes, this proposal would eliminate any confusion over their inclusion The ban would apply to all scheduled flights
of U.S. and foreign carriers involving transportation to and from the
U.S.
The devices have already been banned by Amtrak, and the Air Force Surgeon
General issued a memorandum highlighting the safety concerns regarding
electronic cigarettes and placed them in the same category as tobacco products. The U.S Navy has banned their use below decks in submarines. Several
states also have taken steps to ban either the sale or use of electronic
cigarettes.
You can submit comments on the proposal
at www.regulations.gov, Docket ID No.
DOT-OST-2011-0044, through Nov. 14, 2011.
