Help & Guidance

Can You Take Vapes Through Airport Security?

Yes, in hand luggage. Device in your cabin bag, e liquids in the clear bag, follow the screening steps. A simple walk through.

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Worried about getting your vape through airport security? There is no need to be. Vapes are allowed through security in your hand luggage, and the process is simple if you know what to expect. The main things are to have your device in your cabin bag and your e liquids in your clear liquids bag. This guide walks you through the security process step by step, and complements our guide on flying with vapes in hand luggage.

What to expect at security

Airport security screens your hand luggage, so your vape will go through the scanner with your other items. There is nothing unusual about carrying a vape, and security staff see them constantly. The smooth approach is simply to have your device accessible and your liquids ready in the clear bag, so you are not rummaging at the tray.

At the security tray

Item	What to do
Vape device	Keep in your hand luggage, ready for screening
E liquids	Place in your clear resealable liquids bag
Spare batteries	Keep protected in the cabin bag
Power bank	In the cabin, never the hold

The liquids rule for e liquid

E liquid counts as a liquid for security, so it must be in containers of up to 100ml and placed in your clear resealable bag along with your other liquids. Since UK e liquid bottles are capped at 10ml, this is easy to meet, but it is worth having them in the bag before you reach the scanner to keep things quick.

Device in the cabin bag, liquids in the clear bag, follow the staff''s instructions. That is really all there is to getting a vape through security.

Myths and facts

Myth	The reality
Vapes are not allowed through security	They are allowed in hand luggage; staff see them all the time.
E liquid does not need to go in the clear bag	It does, as it counts as a liquid.
You should pack the vape in the hold to be safe	No. Vapes must stay in the cabin.
You can vape once through security	Only in designated areas, not throughout the airport or on the plane.

After security and boarding

Once through security, you can only vape in designated areas, if the airport has them, and not in general terminal areas. On board, vaping is prohibited, so keep your device switched off and stored. Do not be tempted to vape in aircraft toilets, where sensitive detectors are fitted and tampering with them is illegal.

Do and don’t

Do

• Have liquids in the clear bag before the scanner
• Keep your device in your hand luggage
• Follow the screening instructions
• Only vape in designated airport areas

Try not to

• Pack vapes or batteries in the hold
• Vape in general terminal areas
• Vape on the plane or in its toilets

Frequently asked questions

Can you take vapes through airport security?

Yes, in your hand luggage. Keep your device in your cabin bag and e liquids in your clear liquids bag.

Does e liquid go in the clear bag?

Yes, it counts as a liquid, so it goes in your clear resealable bag in containers up to 100ml.

Will security have a problem with my vape?

No. Vapes are common and allowed in hand luggage; just follow the screening instructions.

Can I vape after security?

Only in any designated areas. Vaping is not allowed in general terminal areas or on the plane.

Can I pack my vape in the hold to save hassle?

No. Vapes and batteries must travel in the cabin.

The bottom line

You can take vapes through airport security in your hand luggage, and the process is simple, keep your device in your cabin bag and your e liquids in your clear liquids bag, then follow the screening instructions. Everything must stay in the cabin, never the hold. After security, only vape in designated areas, and remember vaping is prohibited on the plane and in its toilets. Approached this way, taking a vape through security is one of the easier parts of travelling, and certainly nothing to feel anxious about before your trip, so you can focus on the holiday or journey rather than the queue.

More help and related reading

If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. For anything personal or about your own health, a GP, pharmacist, midwife or your practitioner can advise, and a free local stop smoking service can help if you want to reduce or stop using nicotine.

• Can you take vapes in hand luggage?
• Can you put vapes in a suitcase?
• Can you take nicotine pouches on a plane?
• Browse the full Help and Guidance library

Making security quick and easy

Security runs smoothest when you prepare before you reach the front of the queue. Have your clear liquids bag, with your e liquids inside, ready to place in the tray, and keep your device somewhere easy to reach in your hand luggage. There is nothing unusual about a vape going through the scanner, so there is no need to feel self conscious.

If you are ever asked about your device, a simple explanation that it is a personal vape is all that is needed. Staff handle them routinely, and following their instructions keeps everything moving.

Security preparation

Before the scanner	Why
Liquids in the clear bag	Required for screening
Device accessible	Saves rummaging at the tray
Batteries protected	Safe and tidy
Nothing vape related in the hold	It must stay in the cabin
Know the destination rules	Avoids problems on arrival

A few more questions

Will my vape trigger the scanner?

It may be seen on the scanner as any electronic item is, which is normal. Follow any instructions from staff.

Can I take a part used tank through?

Yes, within the liquid rules. Emptying or part emptying it also helps avoid leaks on the flight.

What if security want to inspect my vape?

That is routine. Simply explain it is a personal vape and follow their instructions.

Key things to remember

• Vapes are allowed through security in hand luggage
• E liquids go in the clear bag
• Keep the device accessible
• Everything stays in the cabin
• Only vape in designated areas afterwards

Putting it simply

The whole thing boils down to two easy habits, device in your cabin bag, liquids in your clear bag. Prepare those before you reach the scanner and security with a vape is genuinely no bother.

After that, just remember vaping is only for designated areas at the airport, and not at all on the plane, and your journey will be smooth from check in to landing.

Is the process different at every airport?

The basics are the same, hand luggage and the liquids rule, but always follow the specific instructions of the security team on the day.

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A quick word on safety and the law

Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.

UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.

This guide is general information about UK rules and typical airline policies as they currently stand, and is not legal advice. Rules and carrier policies can change, so always check official and airline guidance before you travel.