Airplanes have no smoking lights because they initially served as a reminder of when smoking was prohibited during specific phases of flight, and they remain today even after smoking bans as a legacy system and potential reminder.
History of the No Smoking Light
Prior to widespread smoking bans on airplanes, passengers were permitted to smoke during certain phases of the flight. However, there were crucial times when smoking was deemed unsafe. According to the reference material, these times included instances such as:
- Refueling on the ground.
To signal these periods of prohibition, the "no smoking" sign would be illuminated.
The Inflight Smoking Ban and the Light's Persistence
In 2000, a complete ban on smoking during all domestic and international flights to and from the United States was enacted. Despite this ban, the "no smoking" sign remained a fixture on aircraft. The reasons for this persistence are multifaceted:
- Legacy System: The existing electrical and alert systems were already in place and functional. Removing them would have been a significant and costly undertaking.
- Reminder: While smoking is banned, the sign may still serve as a visual reminder to passengers.
- Possible Future Use: While not actively used for its original purpose, the illuminated sign could potentially be used as a warning for another situation.
