from what I heard, since smoking on a plane is verboten, it was so people could smoke shortly after arrival without having to go find a place that sells lighters. after the fuss you go through to fly, I can't imagine having to go buy stuff upon landing, in a foreign land to boot, to feed a habit. so I think that would be the reason. big tobacco doesn't like to make smoking difficult. I smoke very rarely, so I'm not entirely sure.


