"Lighters to be confiscated at U.S. airport checkpoints"

Monday, February 28, 2005

Lighters to be confiscated at airport checkpoints
By KIRSTEN TAGAMI
The Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution


Add lighters to the long list of items you can't take on an airplane.

The Transportation Security Administration, which oversees aviation
security, announced Monday that all lighters will be confiscated at airport
security checkpoints, starting April 14.

Smokers who want to light up in airport smoking lounges aren't completely
out of luck, however. Matches will be allowed.

Butane, Zippo-type and electric- or battery-powered lighters will be
disposed of at checkpoints. Passengers at some airports may be able to ship
them home via a private company for a fee, but that service isn't offered at
Hartsfield-Jackson.

The ban comes in response to a provision in last year's Intelligence Reform
and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which required a ban on "butane"
lighters. TSA decided to also prohibit all other types of lighters.

TSA spokesman Christopher White said the ban makes sense considering "Al
Qaeda's continuing efforts to create improvised explosive devices" for use
on board airplanes.


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