Electronic cigarettes are strictly prohibited for transport in the checked luggage of passengers and crew. These items may only be carried in hand luggage, and measures must be taken to prevent them from being turned on accidentally. Lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries must be individually protected to prevent short-circuits, by placing them in their original store packaging or by isolating the terminals in some other way such as covering the exposed terminals with tape or placing each battery in a plastic bag or protective sheath. Use of such items is prohibited in all phases of flight to, from and throughout the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.