EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
General Police / Security Involved
Company Policy; Human Factors
The FA (Flight Attendant) -B - called me to report his suspicion about the behavior of [the] passenger occupying seat 16D. According to FA-B; the passenger had entered the aft lavatory carrying a jacket with him. The passenger had been in the lavatory for more than 10 minutes and flushed the toilet over 10 times. I contacted the CA (Captain) and informed him of the incident and the suspicion that the passenger was vaping in the lavatory. The CA informed me and [FA-B] that he was contacting the ground crew in ZZZ to report the incident.I made two announcements: one stating that the seat belt sign was on and any passenger away from his/her seat should return to their seats immediately and fasten their seat belts; the second announcement reminding passengers that smoking and using e-cigarettes and vaping is not allowed in the cabin and lavatories per federal laws. [The passenger] returned to his seat within two minutes. The CA made an announcement prior to landing requesting all passengers to remain seated until a GA (Gate Agent) boarded the aircraft to resolve a minor issue. I followed with an announcement stating that exceptionally on that flight; the fact that I would get up to open the door was not a signal that passengers could get up and that they should wait until the GA came aboard and after he/she left.While the GA dealt with the passenger in the cabin; the law enforcement officials asked me if the fire alarm went off and I responded that the fire alarm did not go off. They asked me if either FA actually saw the passenger vaping; I responded that we did not see the passenger vaping; informed that the lavatory had an odor familiar with vaping products. They also asked me if we had a witness; and I responded that we did not have a witness. They informed me that they could not do anything without any of the answers being positive. They advised that the GA could speak and warn the passenger; but law enforcement could not approach the passenger without solid evidence. The GA later reported that [the passenger] said that the reason he was in the lavatory for an extended period of time and flushed the toilet multiple times was due to the fact that he is Muslim and he was doing an act of purification.
EMB-175 Flight Attendant reported a passenger suspected of vaping in the lavatory.