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The proliferation of e-cigarettes has led to various new considerations as authorities come to terms with legislation around what should and shouldn’t be allowed, and individuals get to grips with the less attractive aspects of ferrying e-liquids around the world.

Whether packing for an upcoming trip or hoping to vape while abroad, it is important to understand the rules and regulations, as well as courses of action, should anything not go to plan.

Flying with e-liquids

New products means new rules, and as the majority of the smoking world now carry ecigs, airlines have had to adapt. A key aspect to remember is that electronic cigarettes are largely regarded in the same way as smoking, so when in a terminal, plane, or basically any mode of transport, vaping is banned outside of dedicated areas.

When travelling, it is a requirement to pack e-cigarette materials in carry-on luggage, with no items going in the hold. Remember, e-liquids also have to be placed in a clear plastic bag and containers must not exceed 100ml.

Whilst carriers do not always explicitly ban use on-board, we are yet to find one that permits vaping.

Advice for flying: empty ecigs before boarding as the pressure change can over-burden the chamber and cause a leak. If it does leak, be sure to alert a member of staff so that they can clean the area.

Legalities of vaping

 

Rules in the UK are fairly relaxed with regards to e-cigarettes, but not all countries are so laid back. The safest approach is to check local laws and regulations before you travel, but here are a few basic guidelines:

• Qatar has banned the import of e-cigarettes, so never carry such items on your person on entry;
• Singapore has banned the use of e-cigarettes;
• New York extends smoking bans to e-cigarette bans;
• Where some countries allow the use of e-cigarettes, they may have banned the purchase of refills, so pack enough to cover requirements;
• In Scandinavia, nicotine-based e-liquids are not sold, however you can purchase nicotine-free products;
• Finally, not all countries are aware of e-cigarettes, so be ready for awkward questions depending on who you encounter.

Advice for travelling: check the customs regulations of your destination before departure. For more detail on where you can (and cannot) vape, ‘The definite vaping destination guide’ is a great resource.

Managing a spill

Whilst e-liquids are not particularly volatile, it is important to understand how to refill and store bottles, along with how to manage spillages.

Firstly, be sure never to over-fill. If you overfill, use absorbent kitchen roll to remove excess liquid and, if a leak then develops, be sure to check each component is properly screwed in. If a leak persists, look for a damaged seal or bad coil (coils tend to last 1-2 weeks), as this is often a root cause.

If you do spill the liquid, avoid skin contact as you can absorb additional nicotine. If it does occur, be sure to wash your hands with warm, soapy water immediately. Use kitchen gloves if handling any soaked garments and wash thoroughly or, if spilled on a surface, mop up with a damp j-cloth and allow the surface to dry.