While traditional smoking has been banned on planes for years, the rules for vaping, or smoking electronic cigarettes, have been much more nebulous. The latest: the U.S. Transportation Department has banned passengers and crew from carrying e-cigarettes or charging the devices in checked baggage.
The announcement was made on Wednesday after it was proven that the devices can catch fire while onboard. “Fire hazards in flight are particularly dangerous,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. “Banning e-cigarettes from checked bags is a prudent and important safety measure.”
The ban was initially brought up in November as a temporary measure; this announcement makes the ruling permanent.
Passengers may still carry e-cigarettes in their carry-on. But don’t be confused: vaping during the flight is banned under all circumstances.
