Alaska Airlines flight diverts because passenger tried to light a cigarette

I don't understand- toward the end of the article says it's unclear if the violator will face any punishment- the law's clear....up to $2,200 for smoking in the seat and up to $3,300 for sparking up in the lav. Technically the pax could have 2 counts since this happened twice. Plus, I'd think ASA would be within their rights to bill for additional costs related to landing/takeoff + fuel, not to mention extra crew time.

Totally agree with the fact that the law is the law, although I find it curious how smoking illegally on a flight is tantamount to carrying a loaded gun. Remember that is wasn't that long ago that people smoked at liberty on flights. When it was legal, I sincerely doubt that any crashes were due to smoking, such as Cansoir suggests.

Cigarettes on a commercial flight can result in a death sentence for the other passengers. Remember the AIR CANADA fire in Cincinatti killed over 30 innocents. There is no proof that was the cause however smokers go to the aft lab for a smoke then exhale in the fan not realizing a fire detector is there. This happened before smoking was banned by the individual airlines worldwide. On a flight from MUC to YYZ a foreign passenger tried the aft lab and was caught. The RCMP were his baggage handlers.

Smoking is illegal for a REASON. Passengers are well aware of that. If you want to break the law, go ahead and face the consequences. Should this flight have diverted ? Different question, but he should be hit with all the costs involved.

Diverting a flight because of an idiot is idiotic of the carrier. In this case, why not let the fool smoke and then arrest him upon arrival? Being exposed to second-hand smoke for half an hour would not be a health risk to anyone for such a short time. To me the airline over-reacted. Tobaccophobia at its best.