E-cigarettes banned on US flights – but what about SA?

Cape Town - US federal authorities are taking steps to eliminate dangerous materials on airplanes — and the latest safety measure implemented is the ban of the electronic cigarette in aircraft holds.

The new ban - which comes into effect within two weeks - forbids passengers on all airlines in the US from packing e-cigarettes or other battery-operated electronic smoking devices in their checked bags to guard against in-flight fires.

This is after an e-cigarette in checked baggage stowed in an airliner’s cargo in August last year caused a fire that forced an evacuation of the aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US.

E-cigarettes will still be allowed in carry-on luggage within the cabin, but authorities say it is only a matter of time before the devices will be banned from aircraft completely.


ALSO READ: Cabin Confessions – more crew and passengers share their stories


In the past, e-cigarettes have proven to be of an unstable nature.

In October last year, a smoker was left seriously injured and in hospital after an e-cigarette blew up and nearly tore off his legs.

David Aspinall was using the device when it overheated and exploded, sending shards of metal tearing into his limbs and setting his home on fire, The Telegraph reported in 2014.

Resource: http://traveller24.news24.com