Government Plan to Ban E-Cigarettes on Airplanes Opposed by Public Interest Groups

Washington, DC, November 15, 2011 – The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association and the Competitive Enterprise Institute together filed comment to the Department of Transportation opposing the agency’s planned ban on e-cigarettes on airlines.

DOT claims authority to ban e-cigarettes from commercial airline flights, based on a federal law banning smoking on flights and on alleged harm posed by e-cigarette vapor.  However, e-cigarettes do not emit smoke, they do not produce ash, and they involve no burning of tobacco or any other substance.  And there is no research indicating that e-cigarette vapor is harmful to users or bystanders.

“As familiarity with e-cigarettes grows, we’re already seeing some local legislators rejecting proposed bans on them,” said Elaine D. Keller, President of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association.  “We hope DOT catches on soon.”

“DOT’s claim, that using e-cigs is a form of smoking, shows you how far this agency will go to expand its jurisdiction,” said Sam Kazman, CEI General Counsel.  “Its arguments are as thin as the stratosphere through which planes fly.”

CASAA is a non-profit organization of approximately 2,000 grassroots members that works to ensure the availability of reduced harm alternatives to smoking and to provide truthful information about such alternatives.

CEI is a non-profit organization that focuses on regulatory issues, especially on raising public understanding of the often-hidden costs of overregulation.

► View the public comment to DOT.