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Airline passengers will be allowed to bring most cigarette lighters on board again starting next month, freeing airport screeners to spend more time searching for explosives.

And travelers without infants along will be allowed to carry more breast milk on planes to accommodate working mothers.

Starting Aug. 4, air travelers will be allowed to carry-on disposable butane lighters, such as Bics, and refillable lighters, like Zippos, the Transportation Security Administration announced Friday. But torch-style lighters, which have hotter flames, will still be banned.

"Explosives remain the most significant threat to aviation," said TSA administrator Kip Hawley. "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."

Lighters are the leading item seized at airport checkpoints, an average of more than 22,000 a day. It costs TSA $4 million a year to dispose of them because they contain hazardous materials.

The other rule change on Aug. 4 applies to mothers -- or anyone -- wanting to bring more than 3 ounces of breast milk onto an airplane. Under current rules, the passenger carrying that amount of milk must be accompanied by an infant, but the new rules drop that requirement. The liquid will still have to be declared to screeners who might request additional inspection.

"This rule has been a pain for working mothers who pumped breast milk while on a business trip without their child and wanted to carry more than three ounces home with them." said TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe. "They had to throw larger amounts in the trash and that was not only wasteful but emotionally charged."

The United States was the only nation in the world to prohibit carry-on lighters, and last year Congress gave the TSA administrator discretion to drop the ban if he decided it was not enhancing aviation security. Other items which are not banned can be used to ignite a bomb, including matches and small batteries.

The new rules for breast milk are the third adjustment of carry-on rules in the last year based on security risks, effectiveness studies and feedback from TSA workers, airports and travelers.

(Newsday)

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