A flight attendant has explained why new planes have ashtrays despite smoking bans being enforced across the board on modern airplanes.
Kaylee, who works as a cabin crew member, took to TikTok recently to shed light on the reason the feature is included on many commercial airplanes.
In a video posted over the summer, an ashtray can be seen underneath a sign that reads "No Smoking" in both English and French.
The flight attendant asks her followers: "Have you ever noticed that new planes have ashtrays? Do you know why?"
Check out Kaylee's video here:The video has managed to rack up over 109,000 views, more than 3,000 likes, and 276 comments, with many of the commenters sharing why they think modern aircraft are fitted with ashtrays.
The majority of those who commented believed the inclusion of the ashtrays was down to people defying smoking bans on airplanes. While smoking on a flight is actively discouraged, used cigarettes still need to be disposed of in a safe place.
One person said: "It's because people will try and break the rules. We prefer that they use ashtrays to hide their cigarettes instead of causing a fire."
Another wrote: "They are required by law to have a safe place for the flight crew to put the illegal cigarettes."
A third suggested: "It is in case some one [sic] does have a smoke. And if they do the ash [tray] is there so they don't flush it in the toilet and [break] it."
A fourth commented: "Because people still like to break the rules. As silly as this sounds. Some still don't understand that YOU CANT SMOKE ON AIRPLANES. [sic]"
Yet another chimed in: "Somewhere to safely dispose of a cigarette should you still smoke despite the [No smoking] sign."
Taking to the comments, Kaylee confirmed that their theories were correct - planes require ashtrays in the event that someone does break the rules.
Disposing of cigarettes in a proper manner can prevent fires from starting and it will also mean passengers are less likely to throw their cigarettes down the toilet.
