Flying with Nicotine Products

Whether you are heading off on holiday, flying for business, or relocating overseas, air travel can be complicated enough without the added worry of navigating regulations for your nicotine products. From unexpected security delays to uncertainty about international laws, it’s easy for these potential issues to catch you off guard, and just about everyone has a story to tell of airport anxieties or unexpected customs issues.

As we don't want you to be next to fall victim to these travel pitfalls, in this guide, we will clearly outline how to travel with various nicotine products, from traditional cigarettes to modern nicotine pouches, keeping you informed about airport security, airline policies, and international laws rooted in safety and public health.

Understanding the Different Types of Nicotine Products

First things first: Let’s clarify the types of nicotine products travellers typically take with them. Each category often has its own set of rules when it comes to air travel, but as you might expect, there can sometimes be an overlap in these regulations.

• Cigarettes and rolling tobacco: Traditional tobacco products.
• Vapes and e-cigarettes: Battery-operated devices using e-liquids.
• Nicotine pouches: Tobacco-free, smoke-free oral products.
• Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT): Includes gums, lozenges, and patches.
• Snus and chewing tobacco: Oral tobacco products.
• Heated tobacco products: Devices that heat tobacco sticks to produce a nicotine-containing aerosol, without burning the tobacco.

Flying with Nicotine Products by Type

To help you navigate the specific rules, the following sections detail the key considerations for travelling with different types of nicotine products. We break down the carry-on and checked baggage guidelines, usage restrictions, and other essential information for each category.

Flying with Vapes

Vaping has become a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes and is reported to be the most popular aid for quitting smoking among those who have successfully stopped in the last five years. With so many travellers now using vapes, it makes perfect sense to start here, with the essential information you need to know before you fly:

• Carry-on only: Vape kits and their spare batteries (especially lithium-ion batteries) must always be packed in your carry-on luggage. They are strictly prohibited in checked baggage due to the significant risk of fire. To prevent accidental activation, turn off your device, lock it if possible, and store external batteries in protective cases to avoid contact with metal objects.
• Store liquids properly: E-liquids are subject to standard liquid restrictions for carry-on baggage, so ensure they are in containers with a capacity of 100ml or less, and fit comfortably in a single, clear, resealable plastic bag. Larger quantities can usually be placed in checked baggage, but be sure to check your airline’s policy for this.
• Prevent leaks: Fluctuations in cabin pressure during flights can cause vape tanks and vape pods to leak. To avoid this mess, it's advisable to empty your tank or pod completely before boarding. If you can't empty it, store your device upright and consider using a leak-proof container or sealing it in a plastic bag.
• Use restrictions: Vaping is strictly prohibited on all commercial flights and in the vast majority of airport terminals. Any use is typically restricted to designated smoking areas, if available, and these are becoming increasingly rare.

The same rules generally apply to disposable vapes as to refillable vape devices regarding carry-on luggage and the prohibition of use on flights and in most airports. Since disposable vapes come pre-filled with e-liquid, some airports require you to pack them in your liquid bag. At most airports there is a maximum liquid allowance of 1L, and the liquid stored in disposable vape kits contribute to this allowance. Also keep in mind that pressure changes can still cause leaks in disposable vapes, so it’s always worth storing them upright in a plastic bag as a precaution.

For more specific information on flying with e-cigarettes, check out our guide: Travelling with Vapes.

Flying With Nicotine Pouches

There's no denying the popularity and potential benefits of vaping, when you're on the move and navigating the complexities of air travel, you might want to consider an even more streamlined option: nicotine pouches. Arguably the most travel-friendly nicotine product available today, nicotine pouches offer a unique set of benefits that can make your journey significantly smoother:

• No batteries or liquids: Unlike vapes, nicotine pouches contain no batteries or liquids, eliminating both the common concerns at airport security and the need for charging, refilling, or dealing with potential leaks during your travels.
• Permitted in carry-on and checked luggage: Nicotine pouches are allowed in both your hand luggage and checked baggage without specific restrictions.
• Potential for discreet use: Nicotine pouches can typically be used discreetly during flights without producing vapour or a strong odour that could disturb other passengers.

While there’s usually no strict limit on the quantity of nicotine pouches you can bring for personal use, it’s wise to plan how many you might need based on your typical daily usage and the duration of your trip. Many users transitioning from smoking to nicotine pouches find it helpful to estimate their needs based on their previous cigarette consumption. No matter how many you decide to take with you, be sure to keep them in their original packaging.

Flying with Cigarettes, Rolling Tobacco, and Heated Tobacco Products

At FREESMO, our main aim is to help people switch from cigarettes, and we pride ourselves on providing expert guidance, recommendations, and support. However, for those who still use traditional tobacco products, understanding the regulations for air travel is essential. While cigarettes, rolling tobacco, and heated tobacco products share some similarities in travel rules, there are also key distinctions.

• Carry-on and checked luggage: Cigarettes and rolling tobacco are typically permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage, heated tobacco devices, due to their lithium-ion batteries, are generally recommended (and sometimes required) to be in carry-on luggage. Heated tobacco sticks for these devices are usually permitted in either.
• No smoking onboard or in most airports: Smoking of any kind, including both cigarettes and heated tobacco devices is strictly prohibited on all commercial flights and in the vast majority of airport terminals. As we noted earlier with vaping, designated smoking areas are becoming increasingly rare, but if present, are typically located before security or after baggage claim.
• Lighters and matches: You are generally allowed to carry one disposable lighter or one book of safety matches on your person or in your carry-on luggage, but these are typically prohibited in checked baggage. "Torch" style lighters or lighters with a blue flame often face stricter scrutiny and are prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage in many airport and airline policies
• Keep in original packaging: While not always a strict requirement, keeping both cigarettes and heated tobacco sticks in their original, sealed packaging can help demonstrate they are for personal use (especially if you are carrying larger quantities) and may assist with customs inspections upon arrival.

Almost every country has specific limits on the quantity of tobacco products you can bring into the country duty-free (without paying import taxes). These allowances vary significantly from country to country and are often per adult.

If you exceed these duty-free limits, you may be required to declare the goods upon arrival and pay the applicable duties and taxes. Failing to do so can lead to penalties such as fines, confiscation of your tobacco products, or even more serious legal repercussions. It's also important to know that some countries have very strict limits or even outright bans on the importation of certain tobacco products.

Flying with Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT)

For travellers committed to staying smoke-free, Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) like nicotine gums, strips, lozenges, and patches offer a straightforward way to manage cravings on the go, often with fewer travel-related complexities than traditional tobacco or vaping. Here are a few points to consider for a smooth journey with your NRT:

• Permitted in carry-on and checked luggage: NRT products are typically allowed in both your carry-on and checked baggage without specific restrictions related to the nature of nicotine itself.
• No usage restrictions onboard: A key benefit shared with nicotine pouches is that NRTs like gums, lozenges, and patches can typically be used onboard flights. Unlike smoking or vaping, they don't produce any smoke or vapour that could disturb others or interfere with aircraft systems. Nevertheless, it's always good practice to be discreet and considerate of your fellow passengers.
• Liquids: Some NRTs might come in liquid form (e.g., oral sprays). If you are carrying these in your carry-on luggage, they will be subject to the standard liquid restrictions outlined in our Travelling with E-Liquids guide.

While generally treated as over-the-counter medications, if you are carrying a large quantity of NRTs, it might be helpful to keep them in their original packaging, especially if you are travelling internationally and if the NRT product is not widely available or regulated differently in your destination. While less common, if you do have a prescription for your NRT, it's always wise to carry a copy.

Flying with Snus and Chewing Tobacco

Lastly, while they are both smokeless oral products and may seem similar, there are key differences between nicotine pouches and snus, the main one being that snus contains tobacco, and as such, both snus and chewing tobacco have their own distinct rules and considerations for air travel:

• Permitted in carry-on and checked luggage: Snus and chewing tobacco are generally permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage.
• No use onboard: The use of chewing tobacco is explicitly prohibited on most commercial flights due to airline policies aimed at maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all passengers. While snus is more discreet and doesn't typically involve spitting, airlines often have a blanket ban on all forms of tobacco use, including smokeless.
• Potential for scrutiny: Due to their nature as tobacco products, security personnel might take a closer look, especially if you are carrying large quantities. Keeping them in their original packaging can help clarify that it's for personal use.

Regulations surrounding snus and chewing tobacco can be particularly strict and vary significantly by country. For example, the sale of tobacco-containing snus is banned in the EU (except for Sweden), and Singapore prohibits chewing tobacco. Because these regulations are so varied and can have significant consequences, it is essential to check the specific laws of your destination country before you travel to understand their rules.

Flying with Nicotine Products Reference Table

For a quick overview of the key rules for each nicotine product type, please refer to the summary table below.

Final Thoughts

Travelling with nicotine products doesn’t have to be stressful, as long as you plan ahead. Whether you’re packing a vape kit, a box of pouches, or a carton of cigarettes, knowing the rules makes all the difference.

For many travellers, nicotine pouches offer the most convenient and discreet option, especially when flying long-haul or visiting countries with strict smoking or vaping laws. They’re simple, mess-free, and compliant with most airport regulations, making them a smart choice for nicotine users on the move.