Many countries and companies across the world are still trying to play catch up when it comes to vaping regulations. Age limits continue to fluctuate, while roughly 40 countries worldwide now have some kind of vape prohibition in place.
However, there continues to be a large grey area where laws are far from opaque, and taking disposable vapes onto aeroplanes, whether in hand or checked luggage, is one such area. Here is everything you need to know about taking a vape onto an aircraft in Malaysia.
Can I Take a Disposable Vape in My Hand Luggage in Malaysia?
The rules around taking a disposable vape on board an aeroplane in Malaysia are similar to most other areas of the world. A vape can only travel with you if it has been disassembled and safely placed in your carry-on or cabin baggage. You do not need to declare it before boarding, but remember that using it on a plane will land you a hefty fine and perhaps even worse. Leave it in the bag and ensure it stays there for the duration of the flight.
What Happens if You Put a Disposable Vape in Your Checked Luggage in Malaysia?
Putting a disposable vape into your checked luggage is strictly against the law in Malaysia and most other countries worldwide. However, what happens if you do depends on several different factors.
If your bag is scanned before being loaded, as it almost always is nowadays, the authorities will most likely seize your vape, and there is a high chance the authorities will prevent you from boarding the plane. A fine and plenty of hassle could follow this, but you should be able to continue your journey at some point.
In short, it’s not even remotely worth trying to put a disposable vape into checked luggage, so disassemble it and place it in your carry-on bag.
Disposable Vape Regulations
There have been considerable changes in regulations over a relatively short period. As mentioned, there are now 40 countries that have some ban in place, including Brazil, India, Argentina, Australia, and Japan.
Fines for breaking the law vary dramatically across these countries, with some emphasizing retailers while others focus on personal use. In Qatar, there is an individual usage fine of 10,000 riyals (£2,200), while in Brazil, a retail outlet can be fined R$ 5000 (£809) per day for selling vape products.
In countries where vaping is legal, there are usually plenty of regulations concerning nicotine content, the maximum quantity of e-liquid allowed, age restrictions, health warnings, advertising, and authorisation from a governing body.
In the UK, vapes are limited to 20mg (2%) per disposable device, broadly similar to most Western countries, while e-liquid is capped at 2ml, again similar to many other nations. Age restrictions range between 18 and 21, though many countries haven’t expressly stated a limit.
Most countries in Europe, as well as Canada and the United States, have severe restrictions in place when it comes to advertising, and products typically need to carry the same kind of health warnings that you see on tobacco products.
Disposable Vape Safety Concerns
Safety concerns around bringing vapes on planes have grown in recent years thanks to a few high-profile incidents in which vapes have exploded while onboard. While the vast majority of vapes are perfectly safe, they’re certainly not immune to accidents, and there are plenty of examples of vapes exploding or bursting into flames because of high temperatures, high-pressure environments, or faulty manufacturing.
An exploding vape can be bad news while on the ground, but at 35,000 ft, it could easily be deadly. This is why most aeroplanes, and indeed most countries, have now mandated that vapes can only travel in carry-on luggage, preferably with the e-liquid drained and the battery stored in a different compartment.
While it would be wrong of us to dismiss safety concerns, taking the above-mentioned steps can lower the risk of an accident to about as low as you can go while still travelling with your vape.
Final Thoughts
With regulations continuing to fluctuate worldwide concerning disposable vapes, staying up-to-date and on the right side of the law can sometimes be tricky. If in doubt, and particularly before checking in at an airport, it’s always a good idea to confirm with staff on the ground about the best way to fly with your disposable vape. In Malaysia, as with many countries, it’s clear that placing it dissembled in carry-on luggage is fine, while putting it in checked baggage is a major no-no.
At Waka, we always try to keep you abreast of the latest vaping news and changes while ensuring you have the best quality disposable vapes and e-liquids.