Federal authorities are cracking down on dangerous materials on airplanes — and the latest target is the electronic cigarette.

A new federal rule forbids passengers on all airlines in the U.S. from packing electronic cigarettes or other battery-operated electronic smoking devices in their checked bags to protect against in-flight fires.

The rule still allows e-cigarettes in carry-on bags, so travelers who use the devices have that option. However, passengers cannot recharge the devices while on the plane.

There have been at least 26 incidents since 2009 in which e-cigarettes have caused explosions or fires, including several in which the devices were packed in luggage, according to the Department of Transportation. Usually, they have been accidentally left on or the battery short-circuits.

The Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines about the risks of e-cigarettes in checked baggage back in January. Several incidents were tied to the devices, including when "an e-cigarette in checked baggage stowed in an airliner’s cargo hold caused a fire that forced an evacuation of the aircraft," the FAA said in a statement.

Although e-cigarettes are the target of the ban, the battery is causing the issue: Lithium cells heat the liquid nicotine to turn it into a vapor.

Lithium-ion batteries have been a recent focus of concern in the airline industry after several incidents. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing warned airlines about carrying bulk shipments of lithium-ion batteries, and the FAA has urged airlines to warn passengers against carrying extra batteries in their baggage.

At Los Angeles International Airport in January, a checked bag that arrived late and missed its connecting flight caught fire in the luggage area due to an overheated e-cigarette packed inside.

Electronic cigarettes have also caused controversy on the ground. In September, the National Park Service banned the use of electronic cigarettes in the parks.

The rule banning the cigarettes from checked baggage goes into effect within the next two weeks.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press