Smoking to be banned

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 3

Smoking to be banned

By

DAVE WILSON

Ansett New Zealand will ban smoking on all its flights from October 1, citing health, environmental and safety reasons. An Air New Zealand spokesman said while there were no immediate plans for that airline to ban smoking on its flights, the Ansett move would dictate a re-evalu-ation of the policy. ■ Ansett’s chief executive, Mr John Buchanan, said most of Ansett’s passengers were nonsmokers or people who preferred non-smoking areas. “I am sure this decision will not cause too much inconvenience. We have made the decision after careful consideration of all factors. "We believe the total prohibition on smoking on flights will meet with wide approval.” Although Civil Aviation regulations forbid pipe and cigar smoking on flights, New Zealand has not yet emulated Australia in officially

outlawing cigarette smoking on domestic flights. Mr Buchanan said advantages in the Ansett smoking ban included efficiencies in the checking-in and reservations procedures, and high standards of aircraft cabin cleanliness. An Air New Zealand spokesman, Mr Chris Destrieux, said the Ansett move meant Air New Zealand would reevaluate its ongoing monitoring of the smoking question. “We have no immediate plans to impose a smoking ban but in the wake of the announcement it is an issue we will have to revisit,” he said. He said the number of seats for smoking on domestic and international flights had decreased in recent years, reflecting declining passenger demand for smoking areas. About 20 per cent of seats on domestic flights were reserved for smokers.