Chinese Passenger Detained for 5 Days After Vaping on Plane
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
We get it, you vape.
It’s not exactly breaking news that it’s against the law to vape on an airplane. However, on Sept. 29, a Chinese passenger on board a domestic flight from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) to Changchun Longjia International Airport (CGQ) was caught red-handed trying to sneak a few puffs from their e-cig in the airplane’s bathroom. He was promptly removed from the aircraft, arrested and held in detention for five days following the incident.
Last month, Air China faced another vape-related controversy when two pilots operating Flight 737 caused the aircraft to plunge 25,000 feet when they attempted to vape in the cockpit. By shutting off the air conditioning, they thought that they would prevent smoke from spreading to the rest of the plane — however, that didn’t pan out when the cabin depressurized and overhead oxygen masks were deployed. Luckily, no one was injured, but both of the pilots were fired and stripped of their licenses.
Since 2006, Chinese flight regulations have banned passengers from using e-cigarettes on board. However, despite this, China as a nation has not set any regulations on the booming vape industry. As of now, according to the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Tobacco and Economics at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, there are about 7 million electronic smokers currently in China.
In the US, a passenger found vaping on board a plane could face fines up to $4,000 and run the risk of incarceration as well. Although e-cigarettes and vapes remove the tobacco element from the smoking equation, they are still banned from use on all airlines and by law as the production of the vapor still negatively affects surrounding passengers and crew members.
Featured image by Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.