As people that have been vaping for a few years now will know, vaping in pubs and on aeroplanes used to be accepted. It was one of the big advantages of vaping that allowed us to get around the smoking bans. Since then though, as electronic cigarettes have become more popular and discussed in the news and various political meetings, many places have now extended the smoking ban to also include electronic cigarettes. This has left a confusing situation, where although it is legal to vape in public areas, many places do not allow it.
With this is mind we have decided to dedicate this post to the rules of travelling by air with your e cigarette. Is it legal to take you e cigarette on an aeroplane? Are you allowed to vape on an aeroplane? Only recently have airlines and airports provided specific details on their policies in this area and guides have been issued with the aim of making these rules clearer.
We also need to bear in mind of course that these rules can change at any moment. The powers that be are still unsure on the safety of e cigarettes and so many of these rules are changing all of the time. With this in mind it is always best to check with the relevant authorities before going anywhere with your e cigarettes.
Vaping at UK Airports
Vaping is banned in all UK airports, except for Heathrow. Heathrow hit the headlines in 2013 when it became the first airport to provide a designated vaping area. This vaping point is situated in Terminal 4 and the airport states you can use your electronic cigarette within this location but not beyond the gate area. All other UK airports have banned vaping completely.
Gatwick Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Heathrow Airport: Allowed on the premises, but not beyond the gate area.
Stansted Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Exeter Airport: Electronic cigarettes are allowed through security, but vaping is banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Belfast Airport: Vaping is only allowed in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal.
Birmingham Airport: Electronic cigarettes are allowed through security, but vaping is banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Bristol Airport: Vaping is only allowed in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal.
Cardiff Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building. Vaping is allowed in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal next to Gate 2.
East Midlands Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Humberside Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building and outside except for the designated smoking area.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building and outside except for the designated smoking area.
London City Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Luton Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building and outside except for the designated smoking area located outside the front entrance.
Manchester Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building.
Newcastle Airport: Vaping is only permitted in the designated smoking areas at the front of the terminal building and in two more designated areas after passing through security.
Southampton Airport: Vaping is completely banned anywhere in the terminal building and outside except for the designated smoking area outside of the terminal building and before passing security.
Other Airports: Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Durham Tees Valley, Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds and Robin Hood airports do not provide any information about their policies on vaping and electronic cigarettes.
Taking Your E Cigarette Through Security
Taking your electronic cigarette through security in your hand luggage is permitted at all UK airports.
Bear in mind that your e liquid is treated the same as all liquids and can be in a container no larger than 100ml, and must be placed in the usual clear plastic bag.
Taking Your E Cigarette on to the Plane
Generally electronic cigarettes are allowed on planes. If you want to be certain you should check with the specific airline you are flying with. Some airlines may not allow lithium iron batteries in the hold baggage and you will need to carry it with you in your hand luggage.
Vaping itself is strictly forbidden by all airlines. Here are what some of the biggest airlines have to say:
Ryanair: Typical of Ryanair they make a buck policy, they do not allow vaping your e cigarette, but they do sell a smokeless cigarette that you can buy and use on board.
EasyJet: EasyJet allow you to carry your e cigarette but not vape it.
British Airways: BA actually sells electronic cigarettes on many of its flights but they do not officially allow you to vape them.
Aer Lingus: all e cigarettes are strictly forbidden.
Virgin Atlantic: will allow you to carry them, but strictly no vaping.
Always Check First
To be absolutely sure about taking your electronic cigarette travelling with you, it is always advisable to check first with the airport/airline that you are using. Many countries have different rules regarding e cigarettes to if you want to avoid getting your e cig confiscated, or even getting into trouble, it is advisable to always check first.
In specific countries it may even be illegal take bring your e cigarette with you. For instand Quatar have made it illegal to import e cigarettes. So if you arrive in their country with an e cigarette that may be classed as importing.
As with everything involving e cigarettes there are many grey areas, so if you want to stay safe then it is always best to check what the authorities say about e cigarettes wherever you are going. Hopefully one day there will be a united stance on electronic cigarettes, so that we are not so confused about the rules regarding using them.
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