You’ve planned your holiday, booked your travel, and now you’re getting ready to pack your bags. For many, picking out what to bring with you on your trip is the easiest part of going away. However, if you’re a tobacco or vape user – whether that includes traditional cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or e-cigarette devices, such as vapes – you might have concerns over what products you can bring. And the last thing you want is to ruin your pre-holiday excitement.

To ensure you have a stress-free journey, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on what tobacco products can and can’t go on planes, how best to pack your tobacco products, as well as other tips for travelling with tobacco.

Can you take e-cigarettes on a plane?

If you’re an e-cigarette user, you may be asking yourself, can you take e-cigarettes on a plane? Yes, you are allowed to bring e-cigarettes – as well as other alternative tobacco products, such as heated tobacco - on board a plane with you. However, there are certain regulations you must follow.

According to aviation safety standards, you should pack e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices in your hand luggage, and not in your checked baggage. This is because they contain batteries, which are considered hazardous goods.

When it comes to e-liquids, you should always follow the standard liquid regulations, meaning each container must contain no more than 100ml and must be stored in a clear plastic bag when going through security.

Please remember that using e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, or any other tobacco product is strictly prohibited on planes, and you may be fined or face other legal repercussions if you don’t follow these regulations. It is also worth being aware that other countries have different rules and laws regarding the use of tobacco products. To avoid any issues on arrival or during your trip, you should also check the regulations for your destination country.

Can you take tobacco on a plane?

If you’re a tobacco user and about to go abroad, you might be wondering, can you carry tobacco on a plane? And the answer is yes, you can take most traditional tobacco products, such as cigarettes and loose tobacco, on a plane with you. And if you’re worried about easy access or loss, you may also be asking yourself, can I take tobacco in my hand luggage? Again, the answer is yes, you can pack your tobacco in either your hand luggage or your checked baggage.

However, bear in mind that whilst there are no restrictions on bringing tobacco with you for personal use, there are certain duty-free limits when bringing tobacco products into another country.

For example, in the UK you are allowed to bring up to 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco through customs with you for personal use without paying extra duty. These allowances vary outside the EU depending on the country, with some countries allowing less, so do check airline and local customs regulations before you travel to avoid any issues at security or border control.  

Packing tobacco in your luggage

Now we’ve covered whether you can bring your tobacco products on board a plane with you, let’s look at how best to pack your tobacco to keep it safe from damage and loss.

When it comes to packing traditional tobacco products, carrying them in your hand luggage will help prevent them from getting lost if your checked bag is delayed or misplaced. Additionally, we’d recommend keeping your loose tobacco and cigarettes away from toiletries that could potentially leak, as liquids can ruin tobacco’s ability to burn properly. Finally, keeping your loose tobacco in a sealed pouch will help prevent it from drying out.

For users of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, you must always pack your products in your hand luggage.

Any e-liquids or other refillable liquids must be stored in a clear, resealable bag according to liquid regulations. This can also prevent leakage or damage to your devices.

If you’re travelling with a heated tobacco device, such as Ploom be sure to protect your goods on the go with our range of practical and stylish accessories. We offer front panels  and back panels in a range of colours, both of which offer a customisable look to your device whilst also providing extra protection from drops and scuffs. If you’re looking for more protection for your device, our fabric carry case provides a soft, protective space to store your device, any spare front panels, and your EVO tobacco sticks.

Regulations and Tips for the UK & Beyond

The rules and regulations on the use of tobacco can vary widely from country to country. Many places allow you to bring small quantities of tobacco with you for personal use. That said, others have very strict limits or outright bans on taking tobacco across their borders.

An example of this is Australia, where any tobacco products over the duty-free limit are subject to heavy taxes on arrival or Singapore, where it is prohibited to bring chewing tobacco or any tobacco imitation products (for example, e-cigarettes) into the country.  

To avoid fines or having your tobacco products confiscated, it’s always best to check customs allowances before you travel, make sure you keep your tobacco products in their original packaging, and declare them upon arrival if you are so required.

Final thoughts

Whilst this article answers the most pressing questions when it comes to travelling with tobacco, it is just a short run-through of the basic guidelines on what you can and can’t pack or bring onto an airplane.

For that reason, we’d highly recommend doing some further research on your destination country’s regulations and laws around the importing and use of tobacco.

As long as you plan ahead, stay updated on the latest regulations, and follow the correct guidelines, you won’t have to worry about leaving your tobacco at home or having it confiscated upon arrival.

Want to know more about where you can enjoy your heated tobacco products in airports or other public spaces? Check out our blog on where you can and can’t smoke in the UK.