Ahead of Release of FAA Reauthorization Bill, Norton Introduces Bill to Ban Use of E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices on Airplanes

Statement

Ahead of tomorrow's expected release of the House bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices on airplanes. Last Congress, Norton's bill passed as an amendment with wide bipartisan support during the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup of the FAA reauthorization bill. Norton will offer the amendment during this year's markup if it is not included in the base bill. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a rule prohibiting passengers and crewmembers from using battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices on airplanes. Norton's bill would make the ban permanent by updating the underlying non-smoking statute.

"The use of e-cigarettes and similar vaping devices on airplanes is not only a health risk for passengers; the batteries of these devices pose significant safety risks and in many instances have been shown to spontaneously explode or catch fire," Norton said. "My bill, which received wide bipartisan support last Congress, will ban the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices and protect airplane passengers."

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