H.R. 2962 – Banning the Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Airplanes Act of 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 4:27 PM UTC

The Banning the Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Airplanes Act of 2017 would change federal aviation law to treat electronic cigarettes the same as smoking on passenger flights. It makes using e‑cigarettes on an aircraft a prohibited activity, applying the same rules that already ban traditional cigarettes. The rule would affect all airline passengers, crew members, and anyone on a commercial flight in the United States.

Key Provisions

Amends 49 U.S.C. § 41706 to add a new subsection that classifies the use of electronic cigarettes as "smoking" for the purposes of the law.
Provides a definition of “electronic cigarette” as a device that delivers nicotine or other substances in vapor to simulate smoking.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Aviation Subcommittee

June 21, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 20, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E853-854)

June 20, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

June 20, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Aviation Subcommittee

June 21, 2017

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 20, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2962

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 20, 2017

Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, with respect to prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes on passenger flights, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Banning the Use of Electronic Cigarettes on Airplanes Act of 2017.

2.

Prohibitions against smoking on passenger flights

Section 41706 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

(d)

Electronic cigarettes

(1)

Inclusion

The use of an electronic cigarette shall be treated as smoking for purposes of this section.

(2)

Electronic cigarette defined

In this section, the term electronic cigarette means a device that delivers nicotine or other substances to a user of the device in the form of a vapor that is inhaled to simulate the experience of smoking.

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