You Will SOON Be Able To CAN NOW Carry Lighters Aboard Airplanes - AGAIN!
First, let me recount some pertinent history for you, from messages found here on The Travel Forum!

• Back on December 9, 2004, I posted a message - Congress Bans Lighters From Airliners - reporting for the first time a ban on lighters aboard airplanes.
• On February 15, 2005, Hugh Wyn Griffith posted a message - TSA lighter ban delayed - reporting that the "Lighter ban on flights delayed the ban set to take effect Tuesday, but TSA said it's under review.  According to CNN Tuesday, February 15, 2005, "WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Passengers still can carry butane lighters aboard commercial aircraft this week despite a law banning them that was scheduled to take effect Tuesday."
• On March 1, 2005, Cathy posted a seeded message - TSA Bans Something New From Airplanes - (which ended up with a whopping 93 posts total!).  It included the following quoted text, "If you're flying, leave your lighter at home. The policy, which will be fully enforced by the Transportation Security Administration starting April 14, prohibits all lighters from airports and onboard aircraft."
• Then, on April 14, 2005, Carolyn posted TSA Begins Enforcement of Lighter Ban, which included the following information, "WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin enforcing a ban, beginning today, on all types of lighters from the secure areas of airports and onboard airplanes. The policy is in response to a requirement in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. TSA announced the ban in February and set aside 45 days to educate the traveling public about the ban."

As everybody already knows, lighters were effectively prohibited from that point on!  (I can well remember having more than one lighter of mine summarily taken and dumped in a receptacle by inspectors in the Dutch Antilles, Jamaica, the US, Egypt, etc! <blush> But, that was because I forgot to leave 'em at home!  And, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) <smile>

Now, it seems that the TSA is coming has come full circle ... as the subject says, it's now come up with a brand new policy! ( And, it's about time, too!)  Below is a copy of the TSA Press Release!

Jim

TSA Announces Procedural Changes at the Checkpoint: Common Lighters No Longer Banned from Carry-ons, Breast Milk Exemption Modified

Press Release July 18, 2007

Contact: TSA Public Affairs
571-227-2829

WASHINGTON – In an effort to concentrate resources on detecting explosive threats, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced it will no longer enforce the ban on common lighters in carry-on luggage. Torch lighters will continue to be banned in carry-ons. The agency collects more than 22,000 lighters a day which represents a high percentage of all prohibited items surrendered at checkpoints nationwide. The measures will be implemented on August 4th.

“Explosives remain the most significant threat to aviation,” said Kip Hawley, TSA administrator. “By enabling our officers to focus on the greatest threats we are using our officers' time and energy more effectively and increasing security for passengers.”

TSA is also modifying the procedures associated with carrying breast milk through security checkpoints. Mothers flying with or without their child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than three ounces as long as it is declared for inspection at the security checkpoint.

The procedural adjustments were developed based on process and effectiveness studies, feedback from the workforce and regular consultation with airports, airlines and other security partners. This marks the third modification to security procedures within the last year. On August 10, 2006, a complete ban on liquids, gels and aerosols was implemented immediately following the thwarted terror plot in the United Kingdom, and the update to those measures permitting travel-size amounts of liquids went into effect in September of 2006.

TSA has notified Congress of these changes and will soon begin training its workforce of 43,000 security officers. The United States previously had been the only nation in the world to prohibit lighters from carry-ons. Lifting this ban is another step in our efforts to harmonize security measures with international partners. Since August 2006, 59 countries around the world have adopted the 3-1-1 standard for liquids, gels and aerosols: three ounce containers, in one clear, zip-top plastic bag and one bag per traveler at the checkpoint.

<< When they confiscate a lighter ... a voucher to pick up a confiscated lighter at their destination airport.   >>

They'd then need extra staff for that and moving the lighters from a secure section to an incoming section ..... and someone would sue them when they burned themselves using the lighter they picked up <g>

Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to DOT exemptions, which allow up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case. If you are uncertain as to whether your lighter is prohibited, please refrain from bringing it to the airport.

Please note, you can’t take alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol content (140 proof), including 95% grain alcohol and 150 proof rum, in your checked luggage. 

You may take up to five liters of alcohol with alcohol content between 24% and 70% per person as checked luggage if it’s packaged in a sealable bottle or flask.

Alcoholic beverages with less than 24% alcohol content are not subject to hazardous materials regulations.