Vaping On the Move: Seven Tips for Traveling Vapers

The summer travel season is upon us, and that means people are going to be taking to the skies, seas, and roads to get the most out of their vacation time. And whether by land, sea or air vapers like to travel around just like everyone else.

But vapes are so new that restrictions on their use and transport are sporadic and ever-changing. Of course, if you are going to be traveling by car, there’s probably not a lot you need to worry about.

If you are jetting off to an exotic destination, though, there’s a lot of you should know not only about packing your favorite vape but whether or not you can even vape. Many countries (I’m looking at you Thailand) are adamantly anti-vape so you should be aware that not everyone is going to welcome you and your e-cig with open arms.

Here’s a list of seven things you should know about traveling with vapes:

#7 Find Out All There Is to Know

If you are reading this list, you are already doing a good job. Finding out everything about transporting your vape and whether your destination is accepting (or not) or vapes should be the first thing you do before traveling with your favorite box mod or VapingDaily dab pen.

That’s the one decidedly negative thing about all vapes. Smokers of days past could slip their pack of smokes in their pocket and forget about them. They didn’t even have to worry about getting hassled by the Man, as long as they didn’t light up wherever they wanted. 

You could even smoke on a plane as late as the 1980s! Vapes are more complicated than cigarettes. They are battery-powered devices. And just like all other modern battery-powered devices – smartphones, laptops, cameras – there are restrictions on how they are stored and what you can do with them.

#6 Laws Against Vaping

Thailand is fervently anti-vape. The island nation and popular tourist destination banned vaping back in 2014 due to concerns over their safety. Anyone caught entering the country with a vaping device can be subject to fines or even imprisonment.

But Thailand is not the only country to have strict anti-vaping laws. But Thailand is not the only country to have strict anti-vaping laws. Gulf States like Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have banned vaping devices and e-liquids over concerns about the safety of nicotine (smoking is okay though, of course, no harm there). 

Vaping is also a no-no in Brazil. The largest country in South America banned e-cigarettes around the same time as Thailand in 2014. The government cited concerns over their manufacture and safety, and people have received fines for vaping in public.

Remember, however, that many cities in the United States have laws against indoor and outdoor vaping as well. In California, vapes are included in the Golden State’s smoke-free laws. The same goes if you are planning on visiting the Big Apple this summer. Many states even ban vaping from parks and outdoor areas.

#5 Battery Safety

All vapes run on batteries. Vapes without batteries would be pretty useless. But vapes and their batteries are what make traveling with them, primarily by air, such a headache. And, unfortunately, battery fires and explosions are part of the reason the public is still wary of vaping.

The bad press surrounding those types of instances have led to most, if not all, airlines banning vapes being stored in checked luggage. But the same goes for any battery-powered device, so it should not come as a surprise to anyone.

Of course, you can still take your batteries with you in your carry-on luggage. But just like with any other device, it’s probably a good idea to remove the batteries out of your mod. If a wax pen is your thing, then try to unscrew the chamber from the mod or drain the battery completely, so there’s no risk of a misfire.

#4 E-Liquid

No one could anticipate things like vapes and e-liquid would come into existence in 2006. That was when the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), and aviation regulators around the world banned all liquids, aerosols and gas containers over 100ml (or 3.4 ounces) from all commercial flights.

The ban came as a response to a “Liquid Bomb Plot” that saw terrorists attempting to blow up flights mid-air with the components smuggled into soda bottles. Twelve years on, and the ban is still responsible for long lines at airport security checkpoints all over the world.

When it comes to e-liquids though, transporting them in the mandatory 100ml bottles shouldn’t be a problem for most vapers. Make sure the container is not over 100ml, and it is stored along with all your other liquids in a clear, plastic bag.

If you are going to be traveling for an extended period of time, you could fill a bottle with your favorite liquid and store it in your checked baggage. Buying e-liquids overseas is tricky. You can’t be sure that there will be vendors, and if there are, you have no way of ensuring their manufacturing standards are as high as your regular supplier.

#3 Leave Some Things Behind

The beauty of vaping is the variety. There are many different styles and types of devices to cater to many different people. If you are a builder, and you use RDAs and RTAs and are planning on taking a trip, it’s probably a good idea to leave most of your building equipment at home.

Imagine you are an airport security officer or a customs agent. Imagine you have never even heard of vaping, let alone rebuildable dripping atomizers.

Now, imagine that someone comes along with all the equipment builders typically use to build their coils – tweezers, pliers, spools of wire, cotton – stuffed into their carry-on or even checked luggage. What would you think?

Not only would all your building equipment look suspiciously like bomb-making materials, but your explanation that they are used to build coils so you can vape will also probably fly over the heads of most security officials. We know you are a dedicated builder, but considering switching to a wax vaporizer or a vape pen for your trip overseas.

#2 Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Airports are cities unto themselves. They have everything you need to facilitate your travel or to accommodate long hours spent waiting for your flight.

As such, many airports used to allow smoking everywhere. All that changed of course, but some airports made substantial concessions to smokers by constructing indoor smoking lounges. A few of these lounges still exist, but the majority of smokers must go outside to light up. And now, the same goes for vapers.

These restrictions are not universal. Each airport has their own rules. So make sure that you brush up on what those rules are before you go chucking clouds into the air while you’re waiting to check-in to your flight.

#1 Respect Your Surroundings 

Nations around the world have instituted vaping bans for various reasons. They may seem unfair and unreasonable but those are the rules. Many indoor vaping prohibitions were inspired the World Health Organization’s report suggesting it should banned indoors, just like with indoor smoking.

So until the rest of the world stops equating vaping with smoking, then you should do the same. Treat vaping as if it were smoking. Even if the place you are visiting allows for vaping, if you are indoors, at a bar or a cafe, ask before you can start taking monster hits from your device.

And of course, whatever you do, don’t whip out your best vape pen for oil on a commercial flight. There’s another example of treating vaping like smoking that’ll ensure you aren’t arrested, fined or have your devices confiscated.

About the Author: Phyllis Baker is the professional journalist and blogger specializing in quitting smoking and health issues.

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