Plane ban planned

[googabee]

I didn't see nothin posted on it yet, so here -

Ban proposed on electronic cigarettes on planes

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is proposing a ban on the use of electronic cigarettes by airline passengers, saying there is a concern they may be harmful.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says in a statement that the ban would "enhance passenger comfort" and reduce any confusion about whether passengers may use electronic cigarettes in flight.


Electronic cigarettes are designed to deliver nicotine or other substances to the smoker in the form of a vapor.

 

[fray]

Just throw your peanuts at them if they complain. Wait.. That's been done http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/07/unruly-flier-hurls-snacks/176813/1

 

[Iffy]

... and reduce any confusion about whether passengers may use electronic cigarettes in flight.

Arrrrrrgh... gotta luv da 'logic'!

 

[Bill Godshall]

It would be extremely helpful to obtain the text of this proposed regulatory change, and to send lots of comments to the Transportation Dept opposing the proposal.

 

[Vocalek]

I found this, but it looks like a draft.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/E-cigarette NPRM.pdf


OK, but there was enough information in it (despite missing deadline date for commenting) for me to track down where to find the rule and then comment;

Regulations.gov



It looks as if Spike has already commented.

Click the button marked "View Attachment PDF" on this page http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-2011-0044-0001

 

[Xaria]

Electronic Cigarette Ban Sought for U.S. Flights - Bloomberg

They even mentioned the FedEx incident with the batteries catching on fire.

 

[sqirl1]

thought vapings been banned for a while now on planes

 

[VapPornRules]

I vaped several times in the plane bathroom - I doubt they will ever allow it in the cabin.

If it doesn't set of the smoke detectors (which it wont) then they will never be able to enforce a ban in the bathroom

 

[googabee]

VPR, I thinking it may lead to confiscation of vapin stuff.

 

[MDVap]

I vaped several times in the plane bathroom - I doubt they will ever allow it in the cabin.

If it doesn't set of the smoke detectors (which it wont) then they will never be able to enforce a ban in the bathroom

I agree. In all honesty I think the ban will be passed, even though its no different than using a fog machine. However that has not stopped me from taking a few puffs in the bathroom like VapPrnrules. If you 'Stealth Vape' and let off a little vapor, and ony take a couple drags, they will NEVER know.

I disagree with the guy who got into a confrentation on the southwest flight because it only makes us look bad. I say do it if its allowed, but stop if asked. Its only common sence.

 

[DaveP]

Xaria said:
Electronic Cigarette Ban Sought for U.S. Flights - Bloomberg

They even mentioned the FedEx incident with the batteries catching on fire.

If they stop allowing Ecigs on flights in the luggage or from being carried onto a plane, they will need to ban anything that uses lithium ion batteries, I would think. That includes laptops, cell phones, tablets, digital cameras, mp3 players, and a host of other devices.

 

[Xaria]

To read the regulation and find quotes like

We see no reason to
treat electronic cigarettes any differently than traditional cigarettes

Its scary to think what department is next in misinformed regulations.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Instead of posting in this thread (or in addition to), send a comment in

ADDRESSES: You may file comments identified by the docket number DOT-OST-2011-0044 by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: go to Regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.

Faxes can be sent just as easily as e-mail by using FaxZero.com.

Make sure to note the docket number

 

[Vocalek]

Placebo Effect: I am not sure that we have the correct docket number. I went into that folder and all that I found was a letter from Spike to DOT back in April with an answer from them that the proposed rule hasn't been formally proposed yet. If we post onto that, I don't think we will get anywhere. It isn't the actual rule that they are proposing.

I went hunting and finally tracked down this text inside of a document titled: Report on DOT Significant Rulemakings - August 2011 Regulations.gov

88.
Popular Title: E-Cigarette
RIN 2105-AE06
Stage: NPRM
Previous Stage:None
Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the general regulatory language in 14 CFR Part 252
to explicitly ban the smoking of electronic cigarettes on air carrier and foreign air carrier
flights in scheduled intrastate, interstate, and foreign air transportation.
Effects:
Foreign
Prompting action: None
Legal Deadline: None
Rulemaking Project Initiated: 11/04/2010
Docket Number:
Dates for NPRM:
Milestone Originally
Scheduled
Date
New
Projected
Date
Actual
Date
To OST 03/24/2011 03/09/2011
To OMB 04/11/2011 05/04/2011
OMB Clearance 07/10/2011
Publication Date 04/22/2011 08/04/2011
End of Comment Period 06/21/2011 09/14/2011
Explanation for any delay: Additional coordination necessary
Federal Register Citation for NPRM: None

The End of Comment Period date is very troubling!

I have to wonder whether DOT is trying to pull a fast one on the public.

 

[Vocalek]

Went searching on the DOT web site for e-cigarettes and tracked down a Word document.

DOT policy on e-cigarettes

[Excerpted from answers to Questions for the Record provided by Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation, following a June 17, 2010, hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation]

Senator Lautenberg
Q. One of the biggest public health victories in this country was when we banned smoking on commercial aircraft. However, electronic cigarettes are now being sold for use on some European commercial flights even though evidence exists that these products contain carcinogens and respiratory irritants. Does the Department plan to explicitly ban smoking of electronic cigarettes on commercial airplanes?
A. Smoking of electronic cigarettes is already banned on U.S. air carrier and foreign air carrier flights in scheduled intrastate, interstate and foreign air transportation. See 49 USC §41706 and 14 CFR Part 252 (Part 252). Nevertheless, we plan to further address this matter in a notice of proposed rulemaking that would amend the existing general regulatory language in Part 252 to explicitly ban smoking of electronic cigarettes aboard aircraft.

Also, finally tracked down a PDF document that appears to contain the entire proposed regulation. It does contain the -0044 Docket number. Why this document is not posted on Regulations.gov is very strange!

Suggest reading this document before attempting to comment.

View attachment E-cigarette%20NPRM.pdf

Notice it mentions that DOT has been reading online sources to find out people are vaping on airplanes.

 

[Vap0rJay]

I love this word may be "dangerous." May... may... they may also turn lead into gold... they may even allow contact with extraterrestrials or may preform a song and dance... They may also one day replace the majority traditional smoked tobacco if given the chance... THATS the may be I think scares them most of all!!!!!!

 

[BardicDruid]

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says in a statement that the ban would "enhance passenger comfort"

He's a never smoker and as usual totally clueless.

 

[Vocalek]

I HAVE AN ANSWER.

Just got off the phone with Laura Jennings, who is listed as a person to contact for further questions in the PDF document that I just posted. She tells me that today is just the "public inspection" day -- although how the public can inspect a document that isn't posted yet and that is difficult to track down on the DOT site is beyond me.

She says that the document will be posted on Regulations.gov tomorrow (September 15) and the comment period will start then, and end on November 14.

So take today to read the proposed regulation, draft what you want to say, then post comments tomorrow.

 

[Vocalek]

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says in a statement that the ban would "enhance passenger comfort"

He's a never smoker and as usual totally clueless.

If they want to enhance passenger comfort (and safety) then give the passengers more leg room. In June I was on a plane and tried to get from my middle seat to the aisle. There isn't enough room to stand totally upright in the space between your own seat and the back of the seat in front of you. I lost my balance while stepping to the left and came down with all my weight on my left leg. Because I was off balance, my knee was twisted so painfully that the flight attendants had to treat me for shock.

I now wear a knee brace when I am doing anything that might bother the knee (e.g. bowling) and it still twinges when I move in the wrong way.

 

[rothenbj]

If they want to enhance passenger comfort (and safety) then give the passengers more leg room. In June I was on a plane and tried to get from my middle seat to the aisle. There isn't enough room to stand totally upright in the space between your own seat and the back of the seat in front of you. I lost my balance while stepping to the left and came down with all my weight on my left leg. Because I was off balance, my knee was twisted so painfully that the flight attendants had to treat me for shock.

I now wear a knee brace when I am doing anything that might bother the knee (e.g. bowling) and it still twinges when I move in the wrong way.

Lawsuit! Win the case, own the airline, name it Vapefreely Air. However, don't charge for luggage.