E-cigarettes not allowed on flights

FOLLOWING the release of a new list of prohibited items in hand-carry and checked-in baggage, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has confiscated assorted lighters from departing passengers.

Jonathan Maliwat, spokesperson of the OTS, said lighters and electronic cigarettes are among the items included in a new list of prohibited items based on international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Maliwat said the primary objective of the said step is to develop the pre-existing list of items prohibited in Philippine airports to counter emerging threats to civil aviation brought about by an introduction of new items capable of being used to destabilize aircraft and innovative ways of artfully concealing weapons devised by unlawful elements.

Maliwat added that a new list is also intended to establish a standardized security screening operations at all airports in the country.

A comprehensive work has been created to insure that all items included in the list would not be utilized to commit whatever acts of unlawful interference against the civil aviation, said Maliwat
Maliwat said through an appropriate legislation such as Annex 17 of the ICAO also known as Chicago convention where our National Civil Aviation Security Program has been anchored with and Republic Act 6235 or the Anti-Hijacking Law of the Philippines.

The OTS has added essential items and increases the standard level to commensurate with the threats posed by the introduction of these new items, said Maliwat