Why Do Planes Still Have Ashtrays If Smoking Is Banned?

Why do airplanes still have ashtrays when smoking is banned? Because some people will smoke anyway — and if they do, the worst place to put out a cigarette is the lavatory trash bin, full of paper towels. Lavatory fires have started exactly that way. So US rules (14 CFR 25.853) require an ashtray near every lavatory door, whether or not smoking is allowed, and an airplane can even be delayed at the gate if one is missing (limited relief exists for multi-door aircraft). So it's not for smokers: it's for fire safety, a backup plan.

Sources:
– 14 CFR 25.853 (FAA amendment text):
– FAA Airworthiness Directive 74-08-09 (lavatory ashtrays):
– Why airliners still have ashtrays (FAR 25.853):
– Jalopnik, a flight delayed over a missing ashtray: