On every flight I've been on, the offer has been made that passengers sitting in an exit row can be moved if they are not able to open the door and give directions to others to get out, or do not want the responsibility.  So, if this provision can be made, why not allow someone who doesnt want to choke on cigarette smoke move?

I'm guessing in this situation they didnt notice that the plane wasn't full or they could have moved without asking.  I know whenever I've been on a flight that isn't full the crew didnt mind me moving around.

I can see where it would lead to problems, as the old saying goes if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile, and people will want to be moved just so they can get a better view, etc.  But in this case the guy had a doctor's excuse that he shouldn't be around smoke, so I think yes definatly if you have a medical issue the airline should make every effort to accomodate you. 

On a side note... I've never been on a smoking airline, are there any US airlines that allow smoking?  Whenever I have connecting flights I have to run around the airport like mad looking for the smoking area before my next flight... In Chicago-Midway (MDW) there is no smoking area and you have to go outside to the parking garage to smoke, and go thru the security checkpoint again before you can board your next flight. 

I remember a long time ago I was on a 737 (I think) that had ashtrays in the armrests.  Seemed weird at the time since they announced that all their flights were non-smoking.  Also, I don't know why there is a 'No Smoking' warning light if smoking is never allowed.. wouldn't it make more sense and be more economical to turn the light off and have a permanent sign at the door or something?

I'd much rather be on a plane full of smoke than a plane full of fidgety passengers.

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I'm not talking about the nuisance or health risks (real or not) to cabin crew or other passengers. That is another issue on which I have my own views. There can be no doubt that smoking is a fire hazard & an aircraft is the worst place I can think of to be trapped in the case of a fire. It would bad enough on the ground but fire in the air doesn't bear thinking about. It always seemed hypocritical to me that while smoking is now banned by most airlines they are still happy to sell you cigarettes. For someone lacking will-power & desperate for a smoke the temptation of that pack of ciggies in their hand baggage might just be too great.

An excellent observation Meyekul. I'm a non-smoker, but my father-in-law is part chimney! Maybe they should consider that some people want to gas themselves up on smokes before a flight, afterall they let people gas themselves up on scotch and all-sorts. Maybe there should be some consideration for nervous fliers who don't drink but puff...

Ozzy

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It's been proven that smoking is one of the biggest fire risks in the home, let alone an aircraft. I've had a bonfire blazing merrily in an ashtray before now. What if this happened in the stupid little ashtrays in the average alrline seat? I posted some photos in the Photos forum a while ago of a bungalow in my road that was gutted by fire. This was caused by an ashtray being emptied into a waste bin with a butt still smouldering. This happened just before the occupants went shopping so fortunately they were out when it went up or someone could easily have been hurt or killed. It's a wonder to me that this has never happened on an aircraft before now.

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I don't think you will have to bother about this for much longer Meyekul. Rightly or wrongly smokers are now seen as Public Enemy #1. It will soon be banned in all public places. In some areas you are not allowed to smoke in the street. Someone even suggested, quite seriously, that I shouldn't be allowed to smoke on my own property, either outside in the garden or indoors.

PS. On the way out to Singapore I didn't have a smoke for 16 hours. It was something like 15 hours on the trip back home. I accepted this as part of the journey. It didn't bother me. In fact I should have taken the opportunity to quit.

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OK Scott. I concede that you have far more experience in this area than me. Just consider what might happen if someone accidentally dropped a Zippo lighter under a seat while they were lighting a cigarette. I smoke like a factory chimney but smoking & aircraft simply don't mix.

Hagar, I'm not trying to sound like a  know it all, I'm just debating this with everyone else.  My personal opinion is that people ultimately have another option...

You're of course entitled to yours.

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Commonsense isn't that common Doug
Some people think their rights can break the laws of reality...
Ah well the simple answer is to get your own plane, then you can smoke if you want without getting told off Oh and if you turn into a giant fireball, well....