Airline reiterates warning vs vaping

AirAsia Philippines warned passengers Friday against vaping on flights, citing an increase in violations and reports of travelers attempting to tamper with smoke detectors in aircraft lavatories.

In a television interview, Steve Dailisan, AirAsia’s head of communications and corporate affairs, said violations have been rising since January, with some passengers caught using vapes in their seats.

Dailisan said those caught are turned over to airport police upon arrival. He noted that vaping is prohibited under Republic Act 9211, the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, and Republic Act 11900, the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. Both laws ban vaping in public transportation, including aircraft.

According to Dailisan, around 10 passengers have been caught vaping on flights this year.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines also reiterated the ban on smoking and vaping aboard all domestic and international flights to and from the Philippines as it stressed that “smoking or vaping in flight not only disrupts operations but also poses serious fire hazards in a confined, pressurized environment, where even minor incidents can escalate rapidly.”

The CAAP urged passengers to comply with cabin crew instructions, observe “No Smoking” signs and report any violations to flight attendants or the Aviation Security Group.