Airlines told to ban smoking in cockpits

Rule imposed early to prevent repeat of unsafe incidents, aviation authority says

All domestic airlines were ordered to immediately prohibit smoking in the cockpit and to severely punish crew members who violate the ban, a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Tuesday.

It ordered airlines to suspend crew members who smoke in the cockpit - including those using e-cigarettes - for 12 months for a first offense and 36 months for repeat offenders.