Lighters to be Banned From Planes

HONOLULU (AP) -- Air travelers are being reminded that cigarette lighters will be prohibited aboard commercial aircraft as of Thursday.

All types of lighters will be banned beyond airport security checkpoints, the state Department of Transportation and the federal Transportation Security Administration said Monday.

However, passengers will be allowed to carry up to four books of matches while traveling through airports, state and federal officials said.

TSA officials said they didn't expect the lighter ban to affect wait times at security checkpoints. State officials said they have begun notifying organizations in the tourism and travel industry about the change in airport security procedures.

Under TSA regulations, lighters and matches are already prohibited in checked baggage.

The lighter ban is in response to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires butane lighters be added to the TSA's prohibited items list.

However, the TSA decided all lighters should be prohibited to ease the difficulty of distinguishing between types of lighters during the security screening process.