Passenger's e-cigarette causes flight delay, Shanghai strengthens smoking ban.

According to a report by East Net on August 27th, recently, a passenger on a flight from Shanghai to Seoul caused a flight delay by smoking an e-cigarette in the cabin despite being advised against it by the flight crew.

The passenger was detained by the police for 5 days for disturbing the order of public transportation.

In response, the Shanghai Municipal Health Promotion Center issued a statement stating that e-cigarettes have been included in the smoking ban in public places in accordance with the "Shanghai Public Places Smoking Control Regulations." The center has updated no-smoking signs throughout the city and intensified publicity and legal education efforts, hoping for the cooperation of the entire society to jointly create a smoke-free city.

The center emphasizes that the aircraft cabin environment is sealed, and smoking can harm passengers' health. The aircraft cabin is equipped with a smoke alarm system, and smoking can trigger the alarm system, affecting the normal operation of the aircraft. Smoking in the cabin is particularly dangerous and can result in a fire. The "Notice of the Public Security Bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China on Maintaining Civil Aviation Order and Ensuring Aviation Transport Safety" clearly states that "smoking (including e-cigarettes)" is one of the prohibited behaviors inside the aircraft.

In November 2021, the State Council issued a decision to amend the Implementation Regulations of the Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China, clearly stating that e-cigarettes are classified as a new type of tobacco product. On October 28, 2022, the Regulations were revised again to include e-cigarettes in the smoking ban in public places. Following the implementation of the new regulations, Shanghai has updated smoking ban signage citywide and intensified publicity efforts.