New cigarette law could reduce fires

Fires could be reduced by a new cigarette law that will take effect Jan. 1.

The Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act, signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, creates regulation on the sale and distribution of fire-safe cigarettes. These cigarettes are made to self-extinguish when left unattended. Cigarette manufacturers must identify their brands as fire-safe in order to sell them after Jan. 1, State Fire Marshal Ronald R. Farr said in a statement.

“This law will have a significant impact on reducing the number of fires, associated deaths, injuries and property damage caused by discarded or unattended smoking materials,” Farr said in a statement. “This law is a big step in fire protection for Michigan citizens.”

Fire-safe cigarettes will have a special Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) mark to indicate that they are certified.