U.S. Federal agencies ban e-cigarettes from checked luggage

The U.S. DOT and FAA have issued an “interim final rule” prohibiting e-cigarettes and other “electronic nicotine delivery systems” from being carried in checked baggage.

Delta already barred the practice. E-cigarettes may be taken on board in carry-on luggage but not used in flight. The new federal rule also prohibits the charging of such devices and their batteries aboard aircraft.

DOT said the rule is necessary because of recent “smoke and fire” incidents in passenger baggage. It cited a luggage fire in Boston in 2014 that caused evacuation of an aircraft, and another bag fire in the Los Angeles airport this year, among others.