I think the merits of a study on the effect of phone use on systems, is the topic of another discussion.
In this case, the pax is a complete tosser. The very fact that we don't "know" there are no effects from mobile use, should be enough of a reason to leave the thing off. I'm always amazed at how these "city slicker know it all" type pax seem to have a healthy disregard for just about anything that makes common sense.
I agree, here is the book, throw at will...