Philippine Airline bans Chinese passenger for smoking on flight

Sep.23.2024
Philippine Airline bans Chinese passenger for smoking on flight
Chinese passenger banned from all Philippine Airlines flights for smoking on board flight to Hong Kong from Melbourne.

According to a report by Philstar on September 22, Philippine Airlines has permanently banned a Chinese business class passenger from Melbourne, Australia from boarding its flights. The passenger was found smoking on a flight to Hong Kong, China.


Upon arrival of flight PR 306 at Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), local authorities and personnel from Philippine Airlines conducted an investigation on Chinese passenger Zhong Yongqin, aged 64.


Ma. Antoinette Juan, the cabin manager of Philippine Airlines, stated that they intervened when Zhong Yongqin attempted to light a cigarette.


Airport authorities later questioned how Zhong Yongqin managed to bring a lighter through security at Melbourne Airport. According to regulations from Philippine Airlines, Zhong Yongqin has been banned for life from boarding any of the company's international and domestic flights.


The spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Eric Apolonio, pointed out that smoking on aircraft, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited under Republic Act No. 9497 or the CAAP Act and Republic Act No. 8749 or the Clean Air Act.


The passenger was allowed to leave Ninoy Aquino International Airport after purchasing another plane ticket to Hong Kong, China.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Patent Reveals China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Animal Model for Heated Tobacco Safety Evaluation
Patent Reveals China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Animal Model for Heated Tobacco Safety Evaluation
China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. has published a patent describing a laboratory method to evaluate the reproductive and developmental safety of heated tobacco products using non-human animal exposure models. The approach introduces a structured toxicological testing framework that could support safety verification, quality control, and regulatory evidence generation for heated tobacco products.
Mar.09
Poland Weighs Ban on Disposable Vapes, Tightens Rules on Nicotine Pouches
Poland Weighs Ban on Disposable Vapes, Tightens Rules on Nicotine Pouches
Poland plans to amend its tobacco control legislation, proposing a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free) while simultaneously tightening regulations on nicotine pouches and other novel nicotine products. Nicotine pouches may be permitted only in "tobacco flavour" variants to reduce their appeal to young people.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Malaysia Launches Workforce Exercise to Improve Efficiency and Align With Future Business Direction
BAT Malaysia Launches Workforce Exercise to Improve Efficiency and Align With Future Business Direction
British American Tobacco Malaysia has announced a workforce optimisation exercise aimed at streamlining operations ahead of a major shift in its distribution strategy.
Apr.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Spain’s Nicotine Pouch Sales Reached 5 Million Cans in 2025, Industry Says 2026 Could Hit 8 Million
Spain’s Nicotine Pouch Sales Reached 5 Million Cans in 2025, Industry Says 2026 Could Hit 8 Million
Spain’s Nicotine Pouch Association said nicotine pouch sales in Spain reached 5 million cans of 20 units in 2025 and are expected to rise 60% to 8 million in 2026. The group said there are currently 20 to 30 brands on the Spanish market and called for regulation proportionate to product risk. It also opposed a proposal to reduce nicotine content to 0.99 mg per pouch, saying it would amount to a de facto ban on the category.
Mar.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan to Raise Tobacco Taxes and Corporate Income Tax From April 1 to Help Fund Defense Spending
Japan to Raise Tobacco Taxes and Corporate Income Tax From April 1 to Help Fund Defense Spending
Japan will raise tobacco product taxes and corporate income tax from April 1 as part of a package of levies to help fund a five-year defense spending increase totaling JPY 43 trillion. Tobacco taxes will be raised in two stages, with the first increase taking effect on April 1 and the second in October, while personal income tax is planned to rise in January.
Mar.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kazakhstan’s Almaty crackdown: Telegram channels used to sell banned vapes, six face charges
Kazakhstan’s Almaty crackdown: Telegram channels used to sell banned vapes, six face charges
Authorities in Almaty have uncovered a large illegal vape distribution scheme, seizing and destroying more than 180,000 vapes. Prosecutors said potential revenue from sales could have exceeded 1 billion tenge. Suspects allegedly sold the banned products through Telegram channels and social media, storing inventory in warehouses and covert locations.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai