Massachusetts Senator Applauds E-Cigarette Ban on Commercial Flights

By SUSAN PETRONI (Patch Staff

WASHINGTON, DC - Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation for banning the use of e-cigarettes on all commercial airline flights.

“The Transportation Department has finally taken the important step to protect the safety of passengers by prohibiting e-cigarettes on flights. A passenger up in the skies shouldn’t have to worry about the cabin going up in smoke because an e-cigarette has sparked a fire," said the Massachusetts Democrat, in a press release.

In 2014, Senator Markey joined with several of his Senate colleagues to call on DOT to finally prohibit the use of e-cigarettes on airplanes.

The Transportation department first proposed a ban in 2011 but delayed issuing a final regulation that would bar e-cigarette “vaping” on all domestic and international flights to or from the United States until yesterday, March 2.

"The 2014 fire at Logan International Airport that was started by an e-cigarette in a passenger’s luggage made clear the danger posed by these devices," said Sen. Markey, in a statement.

"With the use of e-cigarettes increasing, especially by teenagers, we must continue to scrutinize the use of these devices and I will continue my efforts to protect consumer health," said Sen. Markey.

While many e-cigarette manufacturers market their products as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, recent studies have raised concerns about the possible health impacts of e-cigarette vapor on users and secondhand inhalers as a result of exposure to the carcinogens and toxins found in e-cigarettes, said Sen. Markey.