Ryanair introduces smokeless cigarettes on its flights

 Harassed smokers sprinting off the plane at the end of a flight to get their 'fix' could soon be a thing of the past as Ryanair offers smokeless cigarettes on board.

The budget airline has returned to the days of puffing away on flights by allowing passengers to get their nicotine fix from smokeless cigarettes.

Nicotine-loaded cigarettes that are apparently odorless and smokeless will be available from duty-free on board most planes as part of a month-long trial.

The substitute looks and feels like a real cigarette and deliver small amounts of nicotine through inhalation. It produces a smoke free sensation that looks like smoke but is actually a water vapor.

However, smoker Andrea Russell, 38, was not impressed by the substitutes saying it didn't give her the same feeling as smoking a real cigarette, although she agreed it could be comforting to hold the smokeless cigarette in her hands during a flight.

Iwana Falkiewecz, 28, agreed, saying she couldn't feel the usual rush from the substitute but it could be good enough if you were desperate for nicotine. 

Smoke free: Iwana Falkiewecz gave a mixed verdict on the smokeless cigarette

Stephen McNamara from Ryanair said the cigarettes had proved a particularly big hit with passengers from European countries - although some needed advice on how to use them.

He said: 'One of the first passengers to buy some cigarettes did attempted to light one.

'The cabin crew were able to stop him and the promotional information has been made much clearer now.'

The packets costing $5.40 for ten cigarettes have reportedly seen a big uptake in countries where smoking is more common, such as France, Italy and Spain.

Mr McNamara claims the scheme will revolutionize flying for nicotine-addicted passengers.

He said: 'Non-smokers will no longer have to cope with moody smokers in need of nicotine.'

Chris Parsons, director of Similar Smokeless Cigarettes said he was delighted the airline was selling his product on board.

He said: 'Yet another first for Ryanair - now it's also the smokers' favorite airline.