Public Announcements

Lighters Prohibited At Airport And On Planes

03/22/05

Greetings from the American Embassy, Freetown. The following message is being sent to all Americans in Sierra Leone on Monday March 21, 2005.

SUBJECT: LIGHTERS PROHIBITED AT AIRPORT AND ON PLANES

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that all lighters will be prohibited from sterile areas of airports and onboard aircraft beginning April 14, 2005. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that "butane" lighters be added to TSA's Prohibited Items List.

After carefully evaluating the security threat, Congressional intent and operational considerations, TSA determined that passengers should be prohibited from carrying all lighters on their person or in carry-on luggage in the sterile areas of airports or onboard an airplane. The policy will be fully enforced beginning April 14, 2005.  All lighters will be banned from sterile areas beyond security checkpoints at airports.  This includes, for example, butane, absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighters.

The Department of Transportation classifies lighters as hazardous materials and prohibits them from being stowed in checked baggage.  TSA will dispose of lighters brought to checkpoints.  Passengers at some airports may be able to ship them via a private company for a fee, but TSA strongly urges passengers to thoroughly inspect their carry-on and checked baggage for these items before going to the airport.

PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH AS MANY AMERICANS AS YOU CAN.

We remind you that we are located on Corners of Siaka Stevens and Walpole Streets and our telephone numbers for American citizens emergencies are 226 481 and, after hours, 227 998.