China has banned pilots from smoking in the cockpit on all domestic flights.

The move comes more than 20 years after the practice was outlawed on international flights by the Civil Aviation Organisation.

Pilots and crew caught breaking the ban face a 12-month suspension for a first offence, and 36 months if they’re a repeat offender.

Lighting up in the cabin was first prohibited in October 2017, with airlines given two years to stamp out the habit in the cockpit too.

But the Civil Aviation Administration of China has issued a notice banning in-flight smoking with immediate effect, reported the China Daily.

Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Show all 9 1 /9 Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west An ancient cave painting shows rows of figures standing on what look like skis, with herds of animals running below them, on the outskirts of Altay, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, in China Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Local villager Alimase rides traditional horse-hide skis Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Alimase shows off his horse-hide skis before strapping in Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Namujeli, 13, skis home to Khom village Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Local craftsman Slanbek, 63, stretches horse hair as he makes traditional skis Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Slanbek’s hand-crafted skis stand next to his tools Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Villagers ride a bail of hay being pulled by a horse Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Slanbek pours boiling water to soften the wood as he makes his skis Reuters Preserving skiing’s origins in China’s remote west Local villager Sulita makes his way home on traditional skis Reuters

Safety concerns were raised by the practice after an Air China pilot accidentally turned off the plane’s air conditioning mid-flight in a bid to hide that he had been vaping from the captain.

Instead of switching off a fan to stop his e-cigarette smoke filtering into the cabin, he turned the cabin air con off by mistake during flight CA106 from Hong Kong to Dalian on 10 July 2018.



The stunt resulted in insufficient oxygen levels in the cabin and caused oxygen masks to drop from the ceiling.

Crew initiated a descent to a lower altitude before it was discovered that the air con was switched off.

Experts have welcomed the ban.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events