10 March 2005 – “All lighters will be prohibited from sterile areas and onboard aircraft to and out of the United Stated airports effective 14 April 2005,” according  to the report by the Philippine Consulate General in Saipan to the Department of Foreign Affairs citing a press release from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The TSA release of  28 February 2005 stated that the addition of lighters to “List of Items Prohibited Beyond Airport Checkpoints” is in response to a provision in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which was signed into law by the US President in December last year.

The agency stated that “by creating the policy to add lighter to the Prohibited Items List, they are closing a potential vulnerability in air travel security” and added that the passengers play an important role in making smooth conduct of the security process. The kinds of lighter included in the list are butane, absorbed fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighter.

Airport authorities will confiscate and dispose of these lighters. Passengers at some airports may be able to ship them via a private company for a fee, but Philippine Consul General to Saipan Wilfredo Maximo strongly urges Filipino passengers to thoroughly inspect their carry-on and checked baggage for these items before going to the airport in order to avoid the inconvenience of a thorough security check. END
 
 
 

/jay