Passenger caught smoking in toilet during Porter flight

THUNDER BAY — A passenger on a Porter Airlines flight to Thunder Bay may have to pay out of pocket if he disobeyed a ban on smoking on planes.

The airline said the incident happened June 6 on a flight between Toronto and Thunder Bay.

A Porter spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday that a crew member found a cigarette in the plane’s toilet.

A passenger was identified as the suspected culprit, and the crew informed security personnel upon arrival in Thunder Bay.

The airline said the plane landed without further incident and there was no risk to the plane, crew or passengers.

He provided no further details, but according to an unconfirmed account from another source, a smoke detector had been activated and other passengers were being held on board while a man was escorted off the plane .

Under federal law, smoking or vaping on a plane can result in a fine of up to $5,000.

A conviction can also lead to the individual having a criminal record.