Smoking aboard airliners

I’m writing in response to a reader’s inquiry regarding flights that allow smoking (Oct. ’04, pg. 84).

Please be aware that smoking on airlines was not banned simply due to its being considered “socially incorrect.” My father worked in testing on aircraft for 31 years, and during the age of smoking, equipment failure was extremely high. For example, nicotine would gum up the oxygen mask release mechanisms, which caused an unacceptable percentage of them to not operate during testing and emergencies.
Keep this in mind when you consider patronizing foreign airlines that have a “smoking allowed” policy.

Smokers who wish to fly with a safety-conscious airline may want to consider using nicotine gum or a nicotine patch for the few hours they are on the plane.

JUDY VOSBURGH
San Diego, CA