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Can you bring a vape on a plane under 21?

19th Jan 2024 | 289 | Dickson

If you’re one of millions of smokers out there, you’re definitely curious about the laws guiding carrying a vape device on a plane. Of course, this also applies to vapers under 21, especially as it concerns laws regarding minors vaping. This article will provide details on the regulations concerning this, including how to travel safely with your vape device and if you can vape on a plane.

Can you bring vape on a plane?

Taking a vape on a plane can be quite tricky because you need to be aware of the rules to avoid breaking them. The answer to this question is yes, you can bring vape on a plane. However, most airlines would expect you to place your vape in a carry on luggage instead of putting it in checked baggage. This especially applies to vape pens with lithium batteries because there have been incidents where the batteries overheated in confined spaces. This also means that you’re not allowed to charge your vape while on a plane as this is frowned upon as a safety risk.

So, what if you’re under 21? Well, even though there are different laws around the world regarding age restrictions on vaping, the TSA is not concerned with this. Their primary role is to ensure the safety of all passengers on the plane regardless of their age, rather than pay attention to diverse state laws. Therefore, you’re allowed to bring vape on a plane even if you’re under 21. Of course, they always recommend that passengers follow all local and state laws regarding age restrictions on vaping but they don’t try to enforce this on a plane.

Why can’t I place my vape pen in checked luggage?

Placing vape pens in checked luggage presents a huge security risk. Most vape pens contain lithium batteries. Over time, there have been scenarios where lithium batteries led to a fire outbreak and this means there is a risk of a fire especially in a cramped space like the checked luggage compartment. So, placing vape pens in a checked luggage would take the vape pens far away from where someone could notice easily if there was a fire and quickly put it out. If a fire were to break out in the cabin of a plane, that can be taken care of quickly before it escalates into a bigger problem.

However, can you imagine how long it would take someone to notice there’s a fire in the checked luggage compartment and successfully put it out while the plane is in the air? That is definitely a lot more serious than it sounds and you don’t want to get caught in the middle. So, if the TSA notices a vape pen packed into checked luggage, you can bet that it will be confiscated whether you’re a minor or way over 21.

Can you bring vape juice on a plane?

Vape juice is allowed on a plane as there are no strict restrictions on carrying them along with you. However, this should still be in line with airline regulations regarding flying with liquids. This means that your vape juice must be in a 100ml container that is placed in a resealable, clear bag for easy inspection when passing through security checkpoints at the airport. Overall, your e-liquids can be in carry-on bags as long as they can fit into a single quart-sized bag alongside other travel-sized liquids in your possession.

However, if your vape juice is in a container larger than the stated 100ml, it must be brought in as checked baggage. This means that you’re not restricted from bringing larger quantities of vape juice on a plane but you can’t have it with you in the cabin. Generally, it’s not a great idea to move around with large quantities of vape juice in hold because there’s a huge risk of it being damaged by pressure from the airplane. If this is packed properly in a sealed bag, you reduce the chances of experiencing damages to your clothes and other important items if pressure damages the container.

Can TSA confiscate my vape pens on a plane?

The TSA are not regular police. Their major jurisdiction is to ensure aviation safety, which means making sure that passengers don’t travel with dangerous items, explosives or weapons that can be a major security threat. Therefore, they won’t be paying attention to the legality or illegality of carrying vape panes across states. Although the TSA would always advice that all flyers adhere to their local and federal laws, they won’t outrightly tell minors not to be in possession of vape pens.

This means they won’t confiscate any vaping device placed in a carry-on bag. They will also need to confirm that your containers are less than 100ml for vape juice but that’s about where it ends. Of course, this doesn’t make vaping automatically legal at the airport. If you’re in a state where it’s illegal, you definitely shouldn’t be seen in public with your vape pen. So, if you’re under 21, you don’t have to worry about TSA confiscating your vape pens,

Can you vape on a plane?

Vaping on a plane is not allowed. At the moment, there’s no airline that allows passengers to vape on a plane as this is a huge health and security risk to others. Smoking on planes was banned as far back as 1990 and the rules haven’t changed since. The restrictions on vaping in aircraft cabins is necessary as the smoke from the e-cigarettes can affect other passengers negatively. If there’s someone on the plane with a respiratory condition, you can certainly trigger a health crisis which becomes even worse when you’re thousands of miles in the air.

Vaping in an airplane can create hazardous air conditions but there’s another reason why it’s not allowed. Since most vapes create an open flame, there’s a risk of starting a fire if something goes wrong with the vaping device. So, apart from the smoke being irritating to other passengers, you could accidentally start a fire and place all passengers in danger. Therefore, it’s best to keep your vape devices and accessories properly sealed in your carry-on bag until you get to your destination and a designated smoking area.

Can you vape at the airport?

You can only vape at the airport in a designated smoking lounge. However, if you break this rule, you can face a fine or the possibility of jail time in extreme cases like tampering with a smoke detector. It’s so easy to assume that every airport would be fine with you vaping, especially if you’re in a state where it’s legal. However, you shouldn’t do that. Be sure to confirm that it’s completely okay to vape at the airport and in a designated smoking area before getting out your vape device. In some airports, there are no designated smoking areas within their security perimeters. Instead, they could be outdoors with little climate control and seating available. This means that there may be no signs to direct you to the right areas for smoking. When in doubt, it’s always best to ask an employee for help as ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law.

Important airline regulations for carrying vape on a plane

  • You’re allowed to have spare vape batteries in your carry-on bag. However, the lithium-ion battery must not exceed 100Wh. If you’re using lithium metal batteries, these must not contain more than 2g of lithium content.
  • To prevent accidental activation of your vape device while traveling, you should double-check that the device is turned off. If there’s a feature for locking the power button, this should be activated to avoid turning on the vape device while it’s still in your bag.
  • All airlines have a strict no-vaping policy during flights, regardless of your age. This helps to maintain standard air quality in the cabin and reduces the chances of life-threatening incidents during the flight.
  • Vaping on a flight can attract serious consequences. This can range from direct warnings from the flight attendants to fines and even being sued in extreme circumstances.

Tips for packing a vape for flying

  • Place your vape battery in a separate container, usually a clear and sealable bag. Most airlines would require you to store your vape battery in a different container from others and this is great for ensuring your safety as well.
  • Pack your vape pen and spare batteries in your carry-on to avoid breaking any rules. Never put a vape or its accessories in checked baggage.
  • To avoid leakages in your bag, you can empty your vape tank before packing. Alternatively, place this also in a sealable and clear bag so if anything goes wrong, the vape juice won’t get into your clothes and other important properties.
  • If your vape pen contains metal, be sure to leave it out of your pockets. This will set off the metal detector as you pass through airport security.
  • If you can’t stay for several hours without vaping, it’s best to bring a replacement along, such as a pack of nicotine gum. This will help you manage your cravings until you can get to the approved spot for vaping.

Conclusion

While it has been confirmed that you can travel with your vape device under 21, be sure to check the specific policies of the airline as regards vaping to avoid breaking any rules. This ensures that you’re fully aware of all guidelines and increases the chances of having a smooth travel experience.