Latest News – ‘Little Old Lady’ Reported for Vaping on Plane

What are the regulations for vaping on a plane?

29 March 2022 | Hannah Rubery

The other week, passengers on a flight from Derry to Manchester experienced a 45-minute delay, resulting in numerous people missing connections. The cause of the trouble? A ‘little old lady’ who was reported for vaping on the plane.

A woman in her 60s was escorted from the plane by police after reports of seeing her smoking during the flight. However, it turned out that she had been using a vape pen.

Reports suggested that there was no further police action taken, but is this the norm?

Can you vape on a plane?

In the UK, it isn’t permitted to vape or smoke on a plane and doing so can lead to legal action. For vapers who have long since quit smoking, nicotine cravings should have lessened so short flights should be no issue. But if you think long flights may be an issue for you then we suggest picking up an alternative nicotine product for your flight that is permitted. For example, nicotine gum or patches.

Can you vape in the airport?

In this case, it’s safest to assume you cannot vape in most airports, but you can always double-check with your airport beforehand. Give them a call or check at a helpdesk to see if there are any specific vape and smoking zones. Otherwise, it’s best to keep your vape pen stowed for now.

Can you take your E-Cigarette and vape juice on a flight?

Regulations change all the time so it’s best not to assume what was fine months ago is still correct. Check with your airline provider to be on the safe side before you fly! Generally, most airlines allow you to take your E-Cigarette onboard in your hand luggage but depending on your device you may need to take extra steps.

For example, kits with battery mods will need disassembling and tanks will need emptying beforehand to minimise leakage. Spare batteries must also be packed in your carry-on baggage in padded carriers to stop them from touching metal objects. An E-Cigarette can only go in your checked luggage if the battery has been removed. If you want to avoid the hassle, perhaps take disposable devices or pod kits when travelling.

When it comes to your E-Liquid, restrictions can again differ between airlines but typically bottles of vape juice in your hand luggage must be 30ml or less. You can take additional vape juice in your checked baggage but make sure to pack them in plastic bags in case of leakage!

Essentially, it’s vital to check beforehand when travelling with vape kits and vape juice if you want to avoid getting in trouble. Even if you’re not travelling far, it’s never safe to assume that you can vape in a place where you aren’t allowed to smoke. Although vaping is legal in the UK and is often seen as an effective way for smokers to quit smoking, there is still much legislation that restricts vaping in areas. Double-check before you vape to avoid any nasty fines or worse!