Lighter ban

A recent report from Associated Press says air travellers in the US must leave cigarette lighters at home as they are no longer allowed on airplanes.

Unlike guns, knives and other dangerous items that can't be carried on the plane but could be put in bags that go in the cargo bay, lighters are now completely banned from every part of the aircraft.

The rule change, enacted recently, is expected to lead to a large number of lighter seizures, even though airports, airlines and the Transportation Security Administration have been warning travellers for the past 45 days of the impending ban.

Lighters haven't been permitted in checked bags for at least 30 years for fear that they might start a fire in the cargo hold. However, the US Congress passed a bill last year banning them from the cabin too.

The ban, however, doesn't include matches; passengers can still carry up to four books of safety matches onto the plane, but they can't light them.

People can mail prohibited items from the airport, leave them in their cars or give them to someone who isn't travelling. Seized items won't be returned.

--Bangkok Post 2005-05-13

Smart investors are buying stock in matches!!!

It's the rule when flying out of Narita, Japan as well. They got me.