Washington (March 3, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced it is banning the use of e-cigarettes on all commercial airline flights. In 2014, Senator Markey joined with several of his Senate colleagues to call on DOT to finally prohibit the use of e-cigarettes on airplanes. DOT first proposed a ban in 2011 but delayed issuing a final regulation that would bar e-cigarette “vaping” on all domestic and international flights to or from the United States until today. In the past week, there have been several media stories from Florida and Kentucky of e-cigarettes exploding and causing fires.

“The Transportation Department has finally taken the important step to protect the safety of passengers by prohibiting e-cigarettes on flights. A passenger up in the skies shouldn’t have to worry about the cabin going up in smoke because an e-cigarette has sparked a fire. The 2014 fire at Logan International Airport that was started by an e-cigarette in a passenger’s luggage made clear the danger posed by these devices. With the use of e-cigarettes increasing, especially by teenagers, we must continue to scrutinize the use of these devices and I will continue my efforts to protect consumer health.”

While many e-cigarette manufacturers market their products as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, recent studies have raised concerns about the possible health impacts of e-cigarette vapor on users and secondhand inhalers as a result of exposure to the carcinogens and toxins found in e-cigarettes. .”

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