Travelling With Disposable Vapes on a Plane

Do you know the rules around taking vapes on your flight?

17 August 2022 | Hannah Rubery

Travelling With Disposable Vapes on a Plane (Image)

With us beginning to travel more once again, and with the rise of disposable vapes, many are asking what the rules are for flying with them. There are a lot of generic rules that cover most airports and countries, but it is always worth double checking with your airline beforehand. It truly is better to be safe than sorry! Especially when travelling to foreign countries that potentially do not allow vaping. These rules are also subject to changes depending on the regulations in the country, and the discretion of the airports.

Taking E-Cigarettes and Disposables on a plane in the UK

UK airports have generally banned E-Cigarettes from being used in any of their terminals. Some may allow it in designated smoking areas but the majority do not allow for any vaping inside the terminal. If a UK airport isn’t listed below then it doesn’t currently have any noted policy so you should contact them before travelling, but it is most likely banned from vaping in the terminal.

The list of airports and their policies currently are:

Belfast International	E-cigarettes can only be used in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal.
Birmingham	Treated in the same way as regular cigarettes in the terminal, meaning they can only be smoked in the outside smoking facility.
Bristol	E-cigarettes can only be used in the designated smoking areas.
Cardiff	No use of electronic cigarettes is permitted inside the terminal. They can only be used in the designated smoking areas outside the terminal next to Gate 2.
East Midlands	Use of e-cigarettes has not been permitted inside the terminal since August 2014.
Exeter	Using e-cigarettes is not permitted inside the terminal.
Gatwick	Smoking e-cigarettes is not permitted anywhere inside both North and South Terminals. Designated smoking areas are clearly marked outside both terminals.
George Best Belfast City	E-cigarettes prohibited inside the terminal building – use outside smoking areas.
Heathrow	Prohibited use of e-cigarettes inside the terminal buildings. There are dedicated areas for smoking/vaping outside the terminal buildings.
Humberside	E-cigarettes cannot be used within the terminal or outside the terminal entrance. They can only be used in the smoking area.
Liverpool John Lennon	E-cigarettes can only be used in outdoor smoking areas.
London City	E-cigarettes cannot be used in the terminal or once you pass through security.
Luton	E-cigarettes cannot be used anywhere apart from the smoking area outside the terminal, located outside the front entrance.
Manchester	No use of e-cigarettes allowed inside the terminal.
Newcastle	Use of e-cigarettes only permitted in smoking shelters at the front of the terminal building and in two more designated areas after passing through security.
Other Airports	Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Durham Tees Valley, Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds and Robin Hood airports do not provide any information about their policies regarding e-cigarettes.
Southampton	Use of e-cigarettes is not permitted inside the terminal building or while walking to or from the planes. They can only be used outside of the terminal building and before passing security.
Stanstead	Use of e-cigarettes has not been permitted indoors since August 2014.

Like everything else, your disposable vapes need to go through security and must be in your carry-on luggage. Disposables and E-Cigarette kits cannot go into checked baggage which applies for both international and domestic flights. This is due to the batteries they contain as they are a potential fire hazard.

When it comes to taking your disposables with you onto the plane, many allow you to do so but all of them do not allow vaping whilst on the plane. If you are unsure it is best to contact your airline in advance to avoid any possible issues.

Taking E-Cigarettes and Disposables on a plane in the US

Flying in the US offers many of the same/similar policies when it comes to bringing disposables with you. Like in the UK, when boarding a plane in the US you are required to keep your disposables and E-Cigarettes in your carry-on luggage.

You also cannot use your vape on the plane so it can be ideal to keep your disposable packaged if its brand new. Make sure to check the US airline’s website beforehand to understand any specific policies they may have.

Why you might want to take disposables on holiday with you

So why would you want to take disposables with you on holiday? Where allowed, disposables vapes offer a much more convenient method for vapers who are travelling. They require no maintenance and no refilling which means you can carry less. There’s no need for lugging around 10ml bottles or your vape cleaning kit, spare batteries and coils that offer their own worries and problems.

Disposable vapes are also cheap and easily available so you can stock up on several to keep you going through your holiday. As many of them nowadays come with nicotine salt E-Liquid, they benefit smokers who need a stronger nicotine hit, helping to fight cravings while away from home.

Although disposable vapes are available in many places across the globe, its advised to not buy devices overseas. Devices from outside of the UK are likely to have different strengths and ingredients that may not be allowed in UK-made devices for safety or quality reasons. Disposable vapes sold legally in the UK are among the highest quality of devices due to the regulations they must meet to be sold. Unfortunately some illicit devices have made their way into the UK market which is why its important to double check your devices beforehand.

Hopefully this helps clear up some questions about taking disposable vapes on a plane for your next holiday. Overall, make sure to double check before you fly the policies of your airline and, if travelling overseas, the regulations on vaping for the country you are visiting.