Smoking in PIA

I 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 smoking 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 £300 in an out of court settlement after suffering severe discomfort from tobacco smoke. I wish I could have done the same repeatedly over the years. If smoking is allowed on board, smoke drifts throughout the aircraft. Aircraft ventilation systems often re-circulate much of the air on board which can further distribute smoke. Because of the difficulty of effectively separating smokers and non- smokers, many airlines have introduced complete smoking bans, firstly on short haul and domestic flights and progressively on long distance flights. In November 1995 members of the Federation of Tour Operators (responsible for the majority of charter flights) banned smoking on all flights of less than six hours.

Unlike Thai, Pakistan International Airline does not respect the needs of international travelers as I found out on my return journey from Beijing. I noticed an air-hostess smoking in the nearby service area (with the curtains pulled). That only added to the direct smoke emanating from the back end of the business class that was a few feet beyond. While taking a ‘breather’ by walking towards the back end of the aircraft, I realized that the smoke there was significant enough to disturb me even though I had a mask on toas protection against the SARS virus.

When I got to talk to a male cabin crew member at the smoke-filled rear, he said that the top management is reluctant to change. He also pointed to another male crew member who smokes and proceeded to tell me that despite being a kidney transplant patient he was unable to have any effect on smoking by fellow crew members and passengers. He pleaded that I write to the chairman of the airline demanding an end to smoking on such flights and also have others write letters of complaint. My email address was taken and he promised to send me the email addresses of the airline’s top man. Unfortunately, I have not received the promised information. I have since filled the passenger feedback form, but unlike in the past, I hope that PIA’ s management will be more attentive now. One is looking for action, not a lukewarm letter of thanks!

It is important to understand the overall health problem caused by tobacco. Smoking kills nearly five million people every year, accounting for one out of every ten adult deaths.

In 2002, 5.6 trillion cigarettes were produced and distributed around the world, a decrease of 0.5 percent over 2001. Thirty percent of cigarettes were made and smoked in China. While smoking rates are declining in some countries, especially those implementing comprehensive anti-tobacco campaigns, smoking rates are growing in many others, especially developing ones. Overall, 82 percent of the world’s 1.1 billion smokers now live in developing countries.

Tobacco industry efforts, including aggressive lobbying and marketing tactics, are exacerbating the spread of this habit. The glamorization of smoking also contributes to this growth. Movies, many of which now reach a global audience, perpetuate the image that smoking is "cool." Researchers have found that smoking in movies is strongly associated with increased teenage smoking rates, and is as strong an influence as parental or sibling smoking behaviors. PIA shows such in-flight movies.

The latest WHO ruling against tobacco advertising is significant, but they may take a long time to implement. Meanwhile, we should not allow smokers to subject others to cigarette smoke in confined spaces. On this year’s No Tobacco Day (31st May) let’s finally get our airline to end the misery of its patrons. A former Prime Minister could get the internal flights cleaned up through a single directive to PIA. It is time the remaining job gets done through common sense.