Lighters, tobacco & self-defense: what you can bring on a plane
Lighters, matches, cigarettes, pepper spray and stun guns. 10 items. Not allowed in carry-on: pepper spray and mace, stun guns and tasers, torch lighters. Not allowed in checked bags: matches, torch lighters.
| Main limit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighters | With limits | With limits | Carry-on or on your person: 1 disposable or Zippo-type lighter per passenger |
| Cigarettes | Allowed | Allowed | Cigarettes: allowed in carry-on and checked bags |
| Matches | With limits | Not allowed | Safety or waterproof matches: 1 book or packet per passenger, carry-on or on your person only |
| Pepper spray and mace | Not allowed | With limits | Checked only: 1 self-defense spray per passenger |
| Stun guns and Tasers | Not allowed | With limits | Carry-on: not allowed |
| Chewing tobacco and dip | Allowed | Allowed | Tobacco (including chew and dip): allowed in carry-on and checked bags |
| Torch lighters | Not allowed | Not allowed | Torch / jet / blue-flame lighters: banned in carry-on and checked bags |
| Candles | With limits | Allowed | Solid wax candles: carry-on and checked |
| Cigars | Allowed | Allowed | Cigars: allowed in carry-on and checked bags |
| Nicotine pouches | Allowed | Allowed | No TSA quantity limit is listed for nicotine pouches |
Rulings are for US flights (TSA and FAA). Open an item for limits, tips and international differences.
Guides on this topic
What can't you bring on a plane? Prohibited items by category
Items not allowed on a plane, sorted by rule: carry-on bans like knives and bats, checked-bag bans like power banks, and items banned from every bag.
What can't go in checked luggage? Carry-on-only items explained
Power banks, spare lithium batteries, vapes and lighters must fly in the cabin. Why, the limits, laptop rules and what to do if your bag is gate-checked.
Carry-on packing list: a TSA-friendly checklist by bag area
A carry-on packing list by bag area: liquids bag, electronics, medication, documents, food and small sharp items, with what to move to your checked bag.