one wishes that our decision makers were as sensitive as the smoke detectors

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day – perfect for cleaning up PIA’s cabinsI can tell you that smoke detectors in aircraft toilets do actually work! On a Thai Airways flight between Bangkok and Beijing recently I was shaken by the wailing of alarms on both sides of the cabin. There are flashing lights on the walls and cabin crew on the double. The flight had been rather bumpy until then so I got a trifle worried. It transpired that this ruckus had been caused by a man in the toilet in front. I had noticed a person go back to his seat some rows behind me about half a minute ago. so I dutifully pointed the stewardess in that direction. When about three cabin crew members surrounded the offender he claimed that he smelled foul because he had smoked a lot before take-off! Meanwhile, the toilet reeked of smoke. The man got off this time – they couldn’t throw him out! The tongue-lashing he received from the staff, though, will ensure that he won’t transgress again. It really goes to show that persons addicted to tobacco will not voluntarily stop their emissions affecting others. Also, one wishes that our decision makers were as sensitive as the smoke detectors!

Airlines have long provided separate seats for smokers and non-smokers, however, tobacco smoke does not respect this division. In 1994 a British Airways passenger accepted