Anyone who is planning a trip is likely wondering what the rules are regarding vaping. Vaping is a pretty new market, and so the laws have likely changed since the trend first emerged a little over a decade ago. Today, in an effort to help you avoid getting into any kind of trouble, we’re going to talk about the rules of vaping regarding air travel as of 2024.
What Happens if You Put a Vape in Carry-On?
So, can you fly with a vape? Yes, in fact, you can. And you might be surprised by just how lenient airports are when it comes to traveling with your vaping products. With that being said, know that you can fly with your vapes in your carry-on luggage - in fact, vaping products must strictly be in carry-on luggage only - and that you can pretty much bring whatever it is that you need to enjoy your vaping hobby, within reason.
How to Bring Your Vape on a Plane
First off, as we said, you are permitted to bring your vape in your carry-on luggage. One thing we want to mention is that you’ll want to make sure that before you pack your vaping goods, you know that the destination of your flight does permit possession of vaping products. Certain parts of the world, including certain Southeast Asian countries, strictly prohibit sale and possession of vaping goods, and the penalties for getting caught with them can be incredibly harsh.
Now, with that being said, there are a few rules:
- You may not carry more than 20 batteries at one time—which, of course, sounds excessive until you consider that disposable devices are each classified as one battery.
- If your device has a removal battery, the battery must be packed separately, in a battery carrying case.
- If you’re using a pod system that consists of a pod cartridge and a separate device with a built-in battery, you should keep these components separate.
Basically, the key to packing your vaping equipment is doing everything possible to prevent accidental firing of the device while in transit.
You may also pack up to 100ml of e-liquid in bottled form. This must be kept in a separate bag from your other liquids during airport security.
What About Other Kinds of Vaping Products?
Thus far, we’ve been talking about nicotine vapes. So, what about cannabis vaping products, including disposable vapes and cartridges? First off, remember that marijuana is strictly illegal under US law, and so you cannot travel with marijuana products - even if you’re traveling from one state that has legalized it to another, as technically, you’re crossing state lines while in the air, which is prohibited.
As for hemp products, which are legal under federal law as long as they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC, things are a bit different. These products are legal to travel with when you’re flying, again assuming they adhere to the legal limit of THC. But remember that TSA agents may fail to tell the difference between hemp and marijuana, as they look and smell similar to one another. And, while we don’t want to think a TSA agent would ever confiscate a legal product, like, say, a Delta 8 vape cartridge, we can’t promise anything.
So, what do you do? Well, again, follow the rules above regarding traveling with vaping equipment to minimize the risk of setting off any red flags. And, if you can, bring the product in its original label, which clearly shows that the product is hemp-derived and not marijuana-derived. This applies not only to vape oils but also to concentrates and flower products, all of which can be vaporized.
Can You Vape on a Plane?
We’ve covered the rules of flying with vapes and bringing vape pens on planes, but can you actually vape while you’re on a plane, either while you’re mid-flight, before you take off, or after you land? Let’s find out, as this is perhaps the most important part to be aware of due to the potential to face severe consequences.
Can You Bring Cigarettes on a Plane?
First up, you can travel with cigarettes, as there are no limits when it comes to tobacco products. You can bring packs of cigarettes, loose tobacco, pipes, cigars, and what have you, in unrestricted amounts. Of course, you absolutely cannot smoke tobacco while on a plane or in an airport outside of designated outdoor smoking areas. Airlines typically treat vaping like smoking and have strict policies against it.
Are There Any Rules for Carrying E-Liquids on a Plane?
While the rules regarding cigarettes are extremely lenient, the rules for vaping are quite different. As a refresher, here is how you may carry e-liquids and vaping products on a plane:
- E-liquid bottles may not exceed 100ml (3.4oz) and must be packed in a separate, clear bag with other bottled liquids.
- All vaping products must be in your carry-on luggage.
- Removable vape batteries must be removed, and in individual battery containers, kept separately from one another.
- You may not bring more than 20 vape batteries (including devices with built-in batteries) at one time.
- All efforts must be made to prevent accidental firing of devices mid-flight.
- Vaping products containing cannabis may only be hemp-derived and contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC.
- Cannabis vaping products should come in their original packaging so that the labeling clearly indicates what’s inside.
Can You Vape at the Airport?
One thing to know is that you absolutely may not vape inside an airport outside of designated smoking sections. Basically, if you can’t smoke in a part of the airport, you can’t vape there, either. Each airport has its own set of penalties for those who are caught using a vaping device outside of designated smoking areas, but you may end up getting fined or miss your flight as you have to deal with the consequences.
Can I Use My Vape During Flight?
Most importantly, you may not vape in an airplane at any time. This includes before takeoff, after landing, or, of course, while in flight. Basically, getting caught vaping on a plane can lead to severe fines, and you will get kicked off of a flight if you’re caught before takeoff. Getting caught vaping while in flight may cause the pilot to land early, because of it being a fire hazard. The same rules apply to charging a vape battery, which is something that a lot of people overlook.
You may think that you can get away with vaping on a plane by doing it in the bathroom or taking in an inhale and blowing it out into something like a sweater, which would absorb the vapor. But, the risks are far too high when it comes to getting caught for it to be worth it, as vaping on an airplane is classified as a federal offense.
Now You Know the TSA’s Guidelines for Vaping
When it comes to traveling with your vapes, the rules are fair as long as you follow basic TSA guidelines. Vaping on a plane is a different story entirely, and getting caught vaping while flying can lead to major consequences. So, always check with your airline and review the specific regulations of the airports you'll be traveling through to ensure compliance with their policies. Again, it is essential to adhere to these regulations to avoid any issues during your journey.