Travelling has become a bit tough lately, especially when it comes to airline regulations. If you’re a vaper and your post-COVID plans involve some bit of travel, you need to brush up on some vape travel tips to ensure you stay on the right side of the law while safeguarding your safety and everyone else’s. Remember, e-cig devices are not like traditional cigarettes: these are electronic at the heart of it and a potential hazard if they’re not handled carefully. That said, if you have a move on the cards and plan to take your vape toolkit with you, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind.
- Carry spare batteries but pack them safely
If you’re embarking on a long commute, it never hurts to bring a few extra batteries as you never know when you might need them. If travelling by air, keep in mind that airlines allow you to only carry lithium-ion batteries (like those in your e-cig device) in hand luggage. These will also most likely be limited to a maximum of two batteries. Still, remember that batteries are highly conductive items and could short-circuit when they come into contact with metallic objects, which could result in an explosion or fire. To avoid this, make sure to seal your e-cig battery terminals with electrical tape.
- Disconnect your vape batteries
This particularly applies to unregulated mods. That’s because regulated e-cigs are typically equipped with a safety lock that prevents any accidental activation of the device. In the case of unregulated mods (aka mechanical mods) this feature is not present. This means that in the event that the fire button gets accidentally pushed down in your luggage, it could trigger a battery fire. For this reason, it’s best to take out your batteries when travelling. And if your device comes with a button-locking mechanism, make sure to activate it before tossing the device in the luggage.
- Avoid a mess by securing your e-liquid
When travelling with any kind of liquid, it is important to take the necessary precautions in order to avoid any unwanted spillages. This is no different when it comes to vape juice. E-liquid spillage is not going to cause any bodily harm to you or a fellow passenger when it comes into contact with your skin. But no one wants to deal with a liquid mess in the middle of their journey, more so if that liquid is likely to leave you wet and sticky. Unfortunately, there are many vape manufacturers out there who are still trying to be frugal by packing their juice in cheap and flimsy bottles. If you don’t have a reputable e-liquid manufacturer to source quality bottles (and e-juice) from, consider purchasing some quality empty bottles separately to pack your e-liquid in. This might just save you a lot of frustration and an unforeseen laundry bill down the line.
- Check the local vaping regulations
Vaping regulations vary from one country to the next. While most countries have no ban on vaping, there are regulations that govern vaping in public, including use of e-cig devices on public transport. Check what the public transport vaping regulations in the UK say, for example. Also, keep in mind that different jurisdictions such as municipalities may have their own independent regulations, so it is important to check what the vaping regulations state in the particular area you’re headed to. That aside, you might also be forced to leave behind your e-cig kit depending on where you’re travelling to. There is a sizable number of countries that have an outright ban on vaping. Some popular destinations that prohibit e-cigarettes include, among others:
- Brazil
- China
- Dubai
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Norway
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Vietnam
Other countries like Finland may not have a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, but they prohibit any importation of e-cigarettes for private use. In the United States, vaping rules may wildly differ between states. Therefore, make sure you familiarise yourself with the vaping rules of your destination to avoid finding yourself in a sticky situation.
- Know the rules of your chosen mode of transport
We have alluded to this above, but it is important to emphasise this point. Unlike years gone by, every mode of transport has moved to put in place measures prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes whether on-board or around the station or airport. Most bus companies, train lines, and airlines have the rules and regulations spelt out on their website, which will differ depending on your chosen mode AND train/bus company or airline.
In Closing
Whether you are travelling across the other side of the country or catching a flight to another country, having this information in your back pocket will keep you on the right side of the law while helping you avoid inconveniences you don’t want to be dealing with on your travels.
