If you’re planning to go to an airport, sports stadium or other public venue that has a security checkpoint, you’ll most likely go through a metal detector when entering that venue. If you vape, you might be concerned about that because you’ll want to know if vapes set off metal detectors. If you want to bring your vape, will that cause a problem for you?
The short answer to your question is “yes” – vapes generally do go off in metal detectors because every vaping device contains metal. However, that's not necessarily a problem.
In many cases, the fact that metal detectors can detect vapes shouldn’t be a cause for concern because it doesn’t mean that you can’t bring your vape to the venue. What you really need to know is what the venue’s rules are and why they have a metal detector in the first place. In this guide, we’ll explain everything that you need to know.
How Do Metal Detectors Detect Vapes?
Although metal detectors serve an important security purpose, the way in which they operate is actually surprisingly simple. A metal detector emits an electromagnetic field, and the field is disrupted when metal passes through it. A metal doesn’t need to magnetic in order to trigger a metal detector. It needs to conduct electricity, which is something that all metals do to some extent.
All vapes contain at least a little metal because they all contain lithium-ion batteries. Many of a vape’s internal components contain metal as well, so you can be fairly certain that a vape will set off a metal detector even if it has a plastic outer shell. We’ll discuss that at greater length next.
Will Plastic Disposable Vapes Go Off in a Metal Detector?
Most refillable vapes have metal outer shells for durability, and those shells are typically made from aluminum or zinc alloys. Those types of devices will obviously set off just about any metal detector – but what about disposable vapes with plastic outer shells? Do Geek Bars go off in metal detectors?
The answer to that question is generally “yes.” Even if you’re using a disposable vape with a plastic shell, you can be fairly confident that it will go off in a metal detector.
The reason why a disposable vape will set off a metal detector is because, although the outside of the device may be plastic, the inside still contains metal. We’ve already mentioned the fact that all vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, but that’s not all. The pins on the integrated circuits and the traces on the logic board are metal. The charging port has metal contacts as well.
If the security personnel at the facility are only looking for heavy metal objects, it’s possible that a disposable vape could be mistaken for another small metal item like pocket change, car keys, a belt buckle or a bra underwire.
It’s really more important, though, for you to understand the rules of the facility you’re trying to enter and make sure that you aren’t running afoul of them. In many cases, there’s no need for you to sneak because vapes are allowed in many public venues with metal detectors. In cases where vapes aren’t allowed, though, the risk isn’t worth it because your device could end up being confiscated.
What Types of Venues Have Metal Detectors?
The fact that you’re looking for information about whether vapes go off in metal detectors is most likely because you’re planning to go to a venue with a security checkpoint and want to know whether you can bring your vape. In some cases, the fact that vapes set off metal detectors isn’t really a concern because you’re free to bring your vape if you want to. It all comes down to the rules of the specific facility.
Airports
You are allowed to bring your vape on a plane as long as you follow the guidelines and pack your gear correctly. Click the link for the full instructions, but the requirements essentially boil down to this list.
- You should always carry vaping devices in your carry-on bag and not in your checked luggage.
- If you use a vape with a removable battery, spare batteries also need to go in your carry-on bag.
- If you want to pack filled vape pods or bottled vape juice in your carry-on bag, they need to go in the same zip-top bag as your other liquid items.
- If you want to pack filled vape pods or bottled vape juice in your checked luggage, there are no special requirements.
- There are also no special requirements for spare parts like replacement coils and empty pods.
Since you’ll need to empty your pockets before going through the metal detector at an airport, the fact that your vape will set off the detector is irrelevant. You’re allowed to bring your vape on the plane and have nothing to worry about as long as you follow the rules. Don’t forget that you’re never allowed to use or charge your vape on the plane. In addition, you’re only allowed to vape at an airport if the airport has a designated smoking area.
Cruise Terminals and Ports
You’re typically allowed to bring your vape on a cruise ship and therefore don’t need to worry about the fact that it’ll set off the metal detector when you go through the security checkpoint at the port. Because you’ll be on the ship for days or even weeks, you’ll be allowed to vape as long as you only do it in a designated smoking area. Vaping on a cruise ship is typically only allowed in designated outdoor areas and smoking lounges. Some casinos on cruise ships also allow vaping. Note that you will almost definitely not be allowed to vape in your cabin.
Sports Arenas and Concert Venues
The policies around smoking and vaping can vary widely at sports stadiums and outdoor concert venues, so it’s important to read the facility’s policies before you go. These are the three possibilities that you might encounter.
- The facility allows you to bring your vape and has designated areas where you can use it. Some stadiums have lounges with outdoor terraces where vaping and smoking are permitted. In a few cases, stadiums even allow guests to go outside certain gates to vape or smoke and then come back in.
- The facility allows you to bring your vape but has no designated areas where you can use it. In this case, you’ll be allowed to vape outside before entering the venue but will need to keep your vape in your pocket once you’ve gone inside.
- The facility doesn’t allow vapes at all. There are some stadiums and concert venues with rules that are so strict that they don’t allow vapes or tobacco products to pass through their security checkpoints. Since your vape will set off the metal detector, it’s at risk of being confiscated if the venue prohibits vapes completely. In this case, you should leave your device in your car.
Remember that while some stadiums and other outdoor venues allow you to bring your vape, you’re only allowed to use it in designated areas where smoking is also permitted. You’ve probably watched a game on television and spotted a guest puffing stealthily on his or her vape, but we strongly suggest against trying that yourself. Stadiums often have extremely strict rules regarding smoking and vaping in their seating areas. If you’re caught, you could be escorted out of the venue with no prior warning. Some stadiums may even ban you from attending events in the future.
Casinos
It’s common for casinos to have metal detectors for safety, but the fact that your vape will trigger the metal detector at a casino doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t vape there. In fact, some municipalities with otherwise strict indoor clean air laws have carve-outs specifically for casinos. Many casinos in Las Vegas still allow smoking – and by extension, vaping – on their gaming floors. In addition, casinos on tribal land have the ability to set their own rules regarding vaping and smoking. Since every casino is a unique case, you’ll need to check the facility’s policies online before you go.
Theme Parks and Amusement Parks
In many cases, you’ll need to go through a metal detector when entering a theme park or amusement park – and although theme parks are outdoors, many of them don’t allow smoking or vaping anywhere once you’ve entered the venue. The only area where you can vape at Cedar Point, for example, is outside the park’s gates.
Government Buildings
Many government buildings have security checkpoints for safety reasons, and the fact that your vape will set off a metal detector isn’t really much of a concern because you’ll most likely be asked to empty your pockets anyway. If you’re a government employee, you might have access to an outdoor break area where you’re allowed to smoke or vape. If you’ve been summoned for jury duty, though, chances are that you’ll need to leave your vape at home.