Johnny Depp might have been able to vape away while traveling by train through Italy in The Tourist. But, flying with vape pen equipment is a whole different story.
If you’re wondering, ‘can you fly with a vape pen?’, the answer is yes. Although, it goes without saying that using a vape pen on a plane is a big no-no. In fact, one man spent five days in detention after vaping on a flight, while others have faced hefty fines.
You also need to be cautious about packing your vaping gear. That means storing everything in the right luggage, and remembering to leaving certain items behind.
And then there are the vaping laws at your destination to consider. After all, some countries are very anti-vaping, while other places have strict regulations on where you can puff on an e-cigarette.
Read on to find out our top travel tips for vapers.
1. Check Local Regulations at Your Destination
If you plan on flying internationally with a vape pen, the first thing you need to check is the law on vaping at your destination.
As vaping is still quite new, restrictions on e-cigarettes are often subject to change. But, at present, if you’re very attached to vaping, you might want to avoid traveling to Singapore, Brazil or Thailand, as well as many other countries where vaping is banned.
Brazil opted to ban vaping in 2014, while you could be fined up to $5,000 for vaping in Singapore. And, although over 40 percent of males smoke in Thailand, the country takes a dim view of vaping and also banned it in 2014. In fact, some people have even spent time in jail for vaping there.
We bet you didn’t know that you could end up behind bars for vaping! For more things you didn’t know about vaping, check out this post by Central Vapors.
2. Battery Safety
As battery-powered devices, vapes can be a headache to travel with, especially by air. This is largely due to the possibility of battery fires and explosions, which is one of the reasons that the public is still wary about vaping.
Because of the bad press surrounding these incidents, most, if not all, airlines have banned vapes from being stored in checked luggage. But that’s hardly a surprise since the same goes for any battery-powered device.
Luckily you can still take your batteries in your hand luggage. But, before you pack, you should disconnect and take out removable batteries, and store them safely in your vape case.
3. Empty Your Tanks
Make sure to empty all the e-liquid out of your tanks before you get on the plane. If you don’t, the change in air pressure can force e-liquid out of the tank. As a result, you might be left red-faced when a dubious stain starts spreading out from your pants pocket.
4. Leave Coil-Building Equipment Behind
One of the best things about vaping is the variety. First, there are seemingly endless e-juice flavors to choose from. And then there are many different devices too, from wax vaporizers to vape mods.
But, when it comes to getting a plane, dedicated coil-builders should leave their building equipment at home. Although you know the pliers, wire, cotton and resistance meters you’ve packed are for building coils, an airport security agent might think otherwise.
Not only would your equipment look like bomb-making materials, most security officials wouldn’t understand about building coils and why you have these items with you. So, for an easier experience at the airport, be sure to switch to a vape pen while traveling.
5. Follow Liquid Guidelines
Although suspicious-looking vaping equipment should stay out of your luggage, following guidelines when it comes to e-liquids should be a breeze for most vapers.
As we all know by now, TSA restrictions mean that we can’t carry any liquids, gels or pastes in our hand luggage that are in containers bigger than 100 ml. The same goes for e-liquids, but since most come in small bottles, this isn’t usually a problem.
What you might forget, however, is to store your e-juices with your other liquids in a clear, plastic bag, and not tuck them away in your vape case. This will make passing through the airport scanners a much smoother and faster process.
6. Pack Enough E-Liquids
While we’re on the subject of e-liquids, if you’re heading off for an extended period of time, you should pack enough e-juices to last you the whole time you’re away.
This is because buying e-liquids abroad can be difficult. You can’t guarantee there will be vaping stores, or what the buying restrictions might be. And, even if there are vendors, there’s no way of knowing if their standards are as high as those of your usual supplier.
As with any other liquids, you can put e-juices in with your checked luggage. But be sure to store them carefully. This will avoid anything leaking or getting broken while your bags are in transit.
7. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
In your daily life you know where and when you can vape without problems. But once you set off on your travels, you should always be conscious of where you are and how those around you might not share your opinion about vaping.
That starts at the airport, where you’ll either have to head to a smoking room or outside to vape. Then, once you’re at your destination, remember that, even if you’re outside it might not be okay to start puffing on your e-cigarette.
For example, many US cities have laws against outdoor and indoor vaping. Or, if you’re heading to Japan, it’s worth noting that while they allow smoking in many restaurants, there are designated areas for smokers and vapers on some streets.
And, even if it is legal where you are, as a courtesy, always check with those around you before you start vaping.
Top Tips for Flying with Vape Pen Equipment
While flying with vape pen equipment does require some consideration and planning, once you get used to the procedures, you’ll find it gets easier.
As long as the country you’re headed to hasn’t banned vaping, you’ll be able to take your vape pen on the plane, as well as e-juices and batteries. Just be sure to pack everything correctly, that way you’ll avoid delays and damages.
And, smart packing will also ensure you’ll have more space to pack your suitcase to the brim!
