Can You Bring Cigarettes on a Plane? (TSA Rules)

There are many questions about what to bring inside a plane carry-on or checked bags. And these are super-specific with variations from items such as makeup to even disposable and Zippo lighters. Queries such as will aerosol cans explode in checked luggage or confusion on liquid rules are all over the place with first-time flight takers.

Yes, these are all legit concerns!

Now one question that I found really interesting was about cigarettes. It’s no surprise that people also want to find out if they can bring cigarettes on a plane carry-on or at least a checked bag. And that basically inspired me to write about it today. Let’s find out the possibility of bringing a smoking agent such as cigarettes and as well as the electric ones.

Can You Bring Cigarettes Along for a Flight?

Yes, you can! TSA lists cigarettes as allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. The same goes for similar tobacco products, such as cigars, tobacco pipes, chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco.

The pack of cigarettes can be opened as well as closed and there’s no restriction to it. Just make sure you don’t plan to light them on board. That’s a cigarette no-brainer, but I still wanted to state it.

Also, the best route is to bring a proper case or carton for storing them. Even if it’s allowed without such packaging. Just to keep things extra safe! If you really need to smoke, the airport has specific smoking areas. But don’t think about smoking while on board a flight or in restricted areas of the airport.

What Happens If You Are an Underage Passenger?

Now that we get a bit in deep about carrying cigarettes, there’s one matter that definitely needs some discussion. And it’s about the age factor. We all know there’s a minimum age requirement for a person to legally purchase cigarettes. In the U.S., the federal minimum age to buy tobacco has been 21 since December 2019; many other countries set it at 18. And this is a point where carrying cigarettes for a flight becomes somewhat tricky.

Persons Under 21 Can’t Legally Buy Cigarettes in the U.S.

The federal law covers buying tobacco, and it applies to every tobacco product, e-cigarettes included. TSA screening doesn’t check your age, and state laws on underage possession vary.

Selling tobacco to anyone under 21 is illegal nationwide.

So even if you are permissible to bring tobacco items, make sure you don’t give it to a minor by mistake.

Usually, minors get in touch with cigarettes by sneaking away or lying about their age. Some may risk it wishing they won’t get caught.

There are also several online sources that claim it’s fine to bring tobacco items even when one is a minor. However, that’s a controversial idea. And it’s best to avoid any chances of getting in trouble when taking a flight.

Also, the airline’s regulations, as well as local laws, are always changing. So, you should consider checking the matter of cigarettes directly with your airlines at least once to confirm.

Quantity Matters

Now that we know that cigarettes are allowed, talking about the quantity comes next. As these are not a security threat, you can bring them inside the checked baggage.

But keep in mind, that your checked bags will still go through scanning and necessary steps on the checkpoint. Also in some cases, the final decision rests with the TSA officers and can be varying based on if a certain item is allowed in your checked baggage or not .

TSA doesn’t set a limit on how many cigarettes you can fly with. The 200-cigarette figure you may have heard (10 packs of 20, or one carton) comes from U.S. Customs.

It’s the duty-free limit for returning U.S. residents: no more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. Anything over that may be taxed.

Keep in mind, that the laws are different depending on destinations. For international flights, go ahead and check the customs allowances of the country you’re arriving in.

Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices

Even if cigarettes are permitted by the TSA, things are different when it comes to electric versions. And regulation is definitely not the same. According to the Transportation Security Administration, electronic smoking devices are allowed only in carry-on baggage, and you must protect them from accidental activation. You cannot pack these items inside your checked baggage.

The items that fall under these rules are the ones running on batteries. Also, vape pens, vaporizers, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems are under this regulation. You can only have them carried with an aircraft cabin.

Also, if your carry-on gets checked at the gate or planeside, take any vaping devices and electronic cigarettes out first and keep them with you in the cabin.

The main reason for such restriction is the lithium battery. The FAA says e-cigarettes must be protected from damage and short circuit, and carried in the cabin only, where crew can deal with a fire quickly.

Another short note you must know about is vaping inside the terminal. It’s strictly not allowed. And you must resist such actions until reaching the destination. Look for the designated smoking or vaping space, and only then continue with it.

Exploring a Few Airline Policies to Confirm

Depending on which airline we are talking about, there will always be a specific rule or regulation that might not be the case with some other airline. However, in general, the use of cigarettes is prohibited by all airlines. And also, these are just permissible to carry on board. Also, if there are lithium batteries, then they must go inside your hand luggage, not the hold one.

• Qantas Airlines don’t allow charging or using any sort of electric cigarettes inside the plane. The same goes for personal vaporizers. And one needs to confirm carrying these items in hand luggage.
• With Emirates, all flights are strictly non-smoking. And this goes for both normal and electric cigarettes.
• Virgin Atlantic strictly prohibits smoking and vaping on board, e-cigarettes included.
• easyJet allows electronic cigarettes in hand luggage only and limits spare batteries, so check its current rules before you fly.
• With British Airways, you can bring electronic cigarettes inside your hand luggage. And smoking inside the plane is, of course, not permissible.

Wrap Up

The cig policies always differ based on airlines, destinations, and origin. So, it’s always the best idea to directly check the rules specifically. However, you can generally not smoke on board, but carrying them inside your carry-on baggage or keeping them in checked-in luggage is fine.

And on that note, you should now be well informed about bringing cigarettes on a plane whether on your carry-on bags or checked baggage. Have a Safe Journey!

Sources

• Cigarettes, Transportation Security Administration
• Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices, Transportation Security Administration
• Airline Passengers and Batteries, Federal Aviation Administration
• 19 CFR 148.33, Articles acquired abroad, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School