U.S. bans e-cigarettes from checked baggage over fire risks

[May 19, 2016]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department said Wednesday it is banning passengers and crew members from carrying e-cigarettes in checked baggage or charging the devices onboard aircraft.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx cited a number of recent incidents that show the devices can catch fire during transport. Passengers may continue to carry e-cigarettes for personal use in carry-on baggage or on their person, but may not use them on flights, Foxx said.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

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