E-cigarette Use Not Allowed on U.S Flights

Summary of Article:

The U.S Department of Transportation says that the use of smokeless electronic cigarettes on airplanes are prohibited and plans to issue an official ban this spring.  This was stated from a letter by the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood obtained by The Association Press.  E-cigarettes are plastic and metal devices that heat  liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge, creating vapor that the smoker inhales.  A tiny light at the tip of the cigarette even "glows", making it appear like a real cigarette.  In the letter to Senator Frank Lautenburg of New Jersey, LaHood said the department has been informing airlines and the public that it interprets smoking regulations to include e-cigarettes.  Lautenburg, who wrote the 1987 law that banned smoking on airplanes, had asked transportation officials to clarify the rule. E-cigarette disturbers have praised the convenience of the smokeless cigarettes because they can be "smoked" anywhere where traditional cigarettes are not allowed.  "We still don't know the health effects of e-cigarettes, and we don't want to turn airline passengers into laboratory mice," Lautenburg said in an emailed statement.  The future of e-cigarettes is likely to be decided by the Food and Drum Administration and just last year, the FDA lost a court case last year after trying to treat e-cigarettes as drug-delivery devices.

My Opinion of Article:

I believe e-cigarettes are tremendously helpful for smokers and non-smokers.  It will help smokers quit and even though it is not great for you, it is better than smoking traditional cigarettes.  It is also helpful for people who don't smoke because they get to be free of smokers and second-hand smoke.  In regards to e-cigarettes not being allowed on planes, I totally agree with this.  Planes are originally smoke-free.  One of the advantages of e-cigarettes is that they are allowed in locations where traditional cigarettes are not.  Although this may be true, when you are on a plane you are travelling high up in the air and it can be extremely dangerous if a fire occurs.  We do not know all of the effects of e-cigarettes and even if we do, we shouldn't take any chances.  As Lautenburg said, "We still don't know the health effects of e-cigarettes, and we don't want to turn airline passengers into laboratory mice,".  Also, most plane rides are only a couple hours long.  If someone can't last without a smoke for that long and have to resort to e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes may make the addiction worse.  E-cigarettes should be no exception especially when it comes to things that can be dangerous such as plane rides.  I also believe we are very fortunate to have departments that look out for us and even things we don't think of dangers of.