MAY 8, 2026
Yuzvendra Chahal Allegedly Caught Vaping In IndiGo Flight.
Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is getting criticised online after social media users claimed he was seen vaping during a flight. The footage is said to be from fellow cricketer Arshdeep Singh’s vlog while the team was travelling from Ahmedabad to Hyderabad. Several users also alleged that the original video was later edited to remove the portion showing the act.
The clips quickly went viral, with many users raising concerns about safety and compliance with aviation norms. So far, there has been no official statement from Chahal or Punjab Kings on the matter. NDTV cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video or the claims circulating online.
Are Vapes Allowed On Flights In India?
According to IndiGo’s official guidelines, e-cigarettes, including vapes, are not permitted in either cabin baggage or checked-in luggage. Such devices are treated as potentially hazardous.
India’s Blanket Ban On E-cigarettes
The restrictions go beyond airline policies. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, the use, sale, import, and possession of e-cigarettes is banned across India. Unlike some countries that allow limited use, India enforces a complete ban.
DGCA Rules On Smoking On Board
Further, under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rules, smoking on board an aircraft is an act that may endanger the safety of the aircraft and persons on board. In such cases, the Pilot-In-Command (PIC) has the authority under Rule 141 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, to take necessary action. This could include warnings, physical restraint or even de-boarding of a passenger deemed unruly.
Passengers on Indian flights are not allowed to carry vapes in any form, regardless of whether they are flying domestically or internationally. Even a single device carried for personal use can be confiscated at the airport, while carrying multiple devices may invite fines or other penalties under Indian law.
Legal Consequences Of Smoking On Board
Smoking on aircraft is strictly prohibited under Indian aviation laws. Any act that could threaten aircraft safety, including smoking or vaping, may attract serious consequences. As per reports, offenders can face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, or both.
Such behaviour is also categorised under unruly or disruptive conduct. In extreme cases, passengers may even face long-term or lifetime bans from flying with particular airlines.
Why Vaping Is Not Allowed On Planes
Even beyond India’s legal framework, vaping is generally prohibited on flights worldwide due to multiple safety concerns.
Fire Risk
E-cigarettes contain batteries that can be accidentally activated under pressure, especially in confined spaces like baggage compartments. Continuous activation can cause overheating, raising the risk of fire – a critical hazard in an aircraft.
Confusion With Smoke
Cabin crew are trained to respond instantly to any sign of smoke, as in-flight fires are among the most dangerous emergencies. Vapour from e-cigarettes can closely resemble smoke, making it difficult to distinguish between a genuine fire hazard and vaping, explains ‘flightdeckfriend‘. This confusion can delay response time in a real emergency.
May Alert Smoke Detectors
Aircraft smoke detectors are typically unable to distinguish between vapour and smoke. Vaping in enclosed areas such as lavatories can trigger alarms, which must be treated as potential emergencies and investigated by the crew.
Risk Of Second-Hand Smoking
Apart from safety, vaping also raises concerns around passenger comfort. Much like second-hand smoke, exposure to e-cigarette vapour is considered undesirable and has increasingly been discouraged in public and shared spaces.
Courtesy/Source: NDTV / PTI
