Why do planes still have no smoking signs?

Why do planes still have no smoking signs? Photo / 123rf
Why do planes – more than 30 years after smoking was banned onboard – still have “no smoking” signs?
Smoking was first prohibited on US domestic flights in 1988. NZ followed shortly after and banned smoking on all its domestic flights from 1990.
While international flights took a little longer to catch up (Air New Zealand made all its flights smoke-free by November 1997), most global carriers banned in-flight smoking throughout the 90s.
So, it would be fair to assume that in 2024, most global travellers will be aware of in-flight no-smoking rules. Even if you miss the signage, air stewards and PA systems double down on the message.
READ MORE: Passenger caught smoking on a plane in 2019
Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, officially turned off the “no smoking” off switch, meaning the familiar sign will remain permanently switched on throughout every American plane on every American airline.
In New Zealand, the aviation.govt.nz website states that “New Zealand airlines don’t allow smoking onboard, therefore the ‘no smoking’ signs will remain on throughout the flight.”
While in the US it is presumably easier to leave things be, rather than deal with delayed flights due to a dicky sign, there are multiple reasons why airlines continue to honour their no smoking messaging – and state what many of us may assume to be obvious.
Firstly, it’s an oldie but it never gets any less relevant: public health and safety is an airline priority. Secondhand smoke is as dangerous now as it was 30 years ago and the importance of not smoking in an enclosed space such as an aircraft remains pertinent. Lest we forget an airplane is highly flammable, with the average four-engine A380 airbus able to carry 320,000 litres of fuel.
According to Maddi Bourgerie, a travel expert from RVshare featured on travel website, Thrillist, “the signs reinforce a smoke-free environment for all passengers and crew”.
Bourgerie also explains that having permanent no-smoking signs provides the airline with some support from a legal standpoint if a smoking-related incident does occur onboard.
In other words, airlines warn passengers in advance so that responsibility can be diffused.
For as long as there have been rules, there have been rule-breakers. Keeping the signs reinforces the notion of what is and isn’t accepted.
It’s also been important to reiterate the ban since vapes and electronic cigarettes have been popular. Most passengers are aware that traditional cigarettes are prohibited onboard flights, but newer variants pose confusion; some travellers may not consider vaping to be the same as smoking, while others attempt to get away with it regardless.
Smoking a vape or e-cigarette on a plane has been banned since October 2015.
People don’t like change. Fact. People do like familiarity. Also, fact.
According to Bourgerie, “Many procedures and protocols in aviation are maintained for consistency and familiarity.
“The no smoking sign has become a standard part of the in-flight experience,” she adds.
I’m sure we’ve all questioned at one time or another why no smoking signs onboard aircraft are still in existence, but take them away and most of us would notice – and likely question their omittance more than their inclusion.
When the Herald asked Air NZ for comment, it explained the signs are an aircraft certification requirement.
As well as international requirements, for most airlines and their no-smoking communications, it may also be a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Or in some cases, if it malfunctions, make it a permanent feature.