SMOKERS are being warned to avoid bringing certain items on planes or face major consequences.
The TSA is reminding flyers not to bring electronic smoking devices in their checked bags, as they pose a significant safety risk.
Smokers are being reminded not to leave their vape in a checked bag (stock photo)[/caption]
The TSA is also reminding smokers not to smoke on the plane[/caption]
Any item with a lithium battery is banned from being in a checked bag[/caption]
Any item with lithium batteries, such as e-cigarettes and laptops, must be held in a carry-on bag that isn’t stored under the plane.
To promote the rule, the TSA is promoting its “Vapes on a Plane” campaign, mimicking the “Snakes on a Plane” movie.
“Vapes on a plane,” the TSA posted on Facebook.
“They’re only allowed in carry-on bags. The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits these items in checked bags.”
Lithium batteries can catch fire if the terminals short-circuit, which could lead to a horrific explosion.
The rules apply to both domestic and international flights.
The TSA reminds all passengers that they can’t smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes while in the air.
“Just as passengers are not allowed to smoke cigarettes on an aircraft, they should never use their vapes or e-cigarettes on an aircraft,” the TSA reported.
“It’s not only dangerous, it’s a federal offense.”
The agency calls the no e-cigarette smoking rule, “The final rule,” and first put it into action in 2016.
“This final rule is important because it protects airline passengers from unwanted exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol that occurs when electronic cigarettes are used onboard airplanes,” former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said at the time.
“The Department took a practical approach to eliminate any confusion between tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes by applying the same restrictions to both.”
CAUSING CONFUSION
The rule prohibiting e-cigarettes and other vaping devices from being put in a checked bag has caused major confusion among flyers.
Several Reddit users have posted in a panic regarding accidentally leaving their vapes in their checked bags.
“I may have accidentally left my vape in a checked bag, will they simply remove it,” one concerned Reddit user asked.
Which items are affected?
The affected lithium batteries banned by the TSA include:
- Power banks
- Cell phone battery charging cases
- Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
- Cell phone batteries
- Laptop batteries
- External batteries
- Portable rechargers
“Will my bag make it to my destination?
“What will happen?”
One frequent flyer replied, explaining the issue with the Lithium battery.
“[The concern is] more so the extreme temperatures that the cargo hold can be exposed to; if your battery is damaged or short circuits it can cause a fire,” the user replied.
“Lithium ion battery fires are harder to extinguish because they’re self sustaining and prone to thermal runaway, catching nearby objects on fire.”
In the end, the Reddit poster said he didn’t have an issue with his vape.
