Posted on 06/27/2004 7:09:35 PM PDT by nofatum
New law for 'fire-safe' cigarettes takes effect Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. -- There's something different about cigarette brands sold in New York these days, but you would hardly notice it by looking at them.
Next to the bar code of a pack of smokes is a tiny mark -- an asterisk, a dash or a diamond -- indicating that the cigarettes will self-extinguish if they're not puffed on regularly.
On Monday, New York will become the first state to phase in a law requiring tobacco companies to sell the new "fire-safe" cigarettes. The law is meant to cut down on the number of smoking-related fires.
About 900 Americans die each year and another 2,500 are hurt by fires started by cigarettes left unattended.
For the past several months, companies have rushed to meet the deadline to supply vendors with the new cigarettes, which are wrapped in special ultra-thin banded paper that essentially inhibits burning.
But manufacturers warn that though the new cigarettes go out on their own, they're not fire-proof and careless handling could still lead to fires.
"It's up to individual smokers to make sure that they do not let these products lull them into a false sense of security," said Ellen Matthews, a spokeswoman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., the nation's No. 2 cigarette maker.
The lower-ignition paper does nothing to curtail the toxicity of cigarettes or reduce the health effects of smoking.
Philip Morris USA, the nation's No. 1 cigarette maker, has marketed its Merit brand nationally with the banded paper since 2000, but it had to tweak it to meet New York's standards, said Brendan McCormick, a Philip Morris spokesman.
Lorillard Tobacco Co., maker of Newport and Kent, has been selling the lower-ignition cigarettes in the New York market since March.
Last week, anti-smoking advocates sent a letter to the major cigarette makers, urging them to use New York's standards to produce and distribute fire-safe cigarettes to other states. Tobacco companies have said there's no immediate plan to roll out the new cigarettes nationally.
New York retailers have not noticed any change in sales or excessive complaints from smokers, except for some who are annoyed when their cigarettes go out automatically.
"The change has been uneventful. We're hopeful that there won't be any need or cause for customers to seek out other sources of cigarettes," said James Calvin, president of the New York state Association of Convenience Stores, a nonprofit group representing 5,000 mini-marts and corner stores.
But if smokers head to neighboring states or buy regular packs of cigarettes through mail-order or the Internet, there's not much New York can do.
"If people go outside, that's a little bit beyond our control," said Peter Constantakes, a spokesman for New York's State Department, which helped draft the fire-safety law. "But we think there will be a majority of cigarettes on the (New York) market that will be safer than they were in the past."
Most popular brands will be available in New York with the lower-ignition paper, but some tobacco companies have abandoned converting lower-end brands due to costs.
All cigarette brands must be tested to determine if they self-extinguish at least 75 percent of the time. Manufacturers who falsely certify that their cigarettes have met the standard face fines of up to $10,000. Wholesalers and retailers also would face penalties if they break the law, though retailers may sell off existing inventories.
Nikki Kane, 21, a smoker from Albany, applauded the change. A few years ago, she escaped a house fire that started when someone left a cigarette burning.
"They're good because if you leave a cigarette burning or you fall asleep, you don't have to worry about the mattress going up in flames," she said.
Here, every smoker will have to smoke more of each cigarette. All this will do is increase the incidence of lung, lip and tongue cancer, emphysema, heart disease, etc.
I would gather from this that the state of New York prefers that smokers die even younger.
Lawyers love this- ANY fire will go to the courts.
FMCDH(BITS)
Regular cigarettes have small amounts of saltpeter in the paper to keep them burning. That's why I smoke little cigars...
Although I see the supposed reasoning behind this law - it's just another case of the "Government Know Best". When will politicians get a grip on the fact that you can't help everyone - or save every idiot from their own stupid actions.
If some idiot feels the need to go to bed a smoke in bed - and his bed catches fire when he falls asleep - it's HIS fault, not the government's or "Big Tobacco" fault.
IF someone "innocent' is harmed or killed by the smoker's negligence - deal with it that way.
If politicians are so concerned with protecting the public from stupid idiots - they need to outlaw themselves...
We regularly get fires here in NM due to smokers carelessness. Fireworks are a common cause too. Last week some (apparantly drunk) guy just fell asleep in the Bosque and his cigarette started another fire. It's illegal to even have cigarettes (or matches) in the Bosque but that doesn't stop people.
Of course, the Indian-run fireworks stands have been in full swing for the last few weeks.
What's the difference? There ain't nowhere you can legally smoke in NYC anyway. :-P
Just another bull$hit law coming out of the unholy city of albany..
Time for a regime change in new york!
Vote!,Vote!,Vote!,Vote!
Kramer's hair is on fire .....
I agree. It's the careless smoker's fault if they go to sleep with a lit cigarette,not the manufacturer.
It's also the fault of the careless candle burner if they leave a candle burning near something flammable and it's the fault of the idiot that overloads a faulty extension cord if a fire starts. Neither the candlemaker or the cord maker are at fault.
They are now saying that the chemicals used in the manufacture of fireproof mattresses and furniture are dangerous to one's health. As soon as one thing is fixed another problem arises.
I truly believe we have become a nation of whining idiots.
What's the Bosque?
The Bosque is a wooded area (recreational, game preserve, etc.) just next to Albuquerque. It's essentially a huge fire trap. Actually, the whole state is a fire trap; drought, bark beetles, little forest cutting; etc. Unfortunately, people don't seem to notice and continue being careless.
Thanks! I've been reading Michael McGarrity's books(I'm a mystery fan)and they really give a wonderful idea of what NM is like....He may have mentioned The Bosque but if he did,I don't remember.
Hope to visit your beautiful state some day.
I just sent this out to all the legislators and a couple friends I have at the Buffalo News and local TV Station!
Maybe we can get the ball rolling another way, and some free press!
A Challenge to the Erie County Legislature
New York State Government is broken
just ask Sheldon Silver !
What is good for NY City is not good for US!
Time to take Manhattan Politics out of State politics!
I have a challenge for the Erie County Legislature, IF you really care about the economy of the Buffalo / Erie County area, You must act to help save it.
Pass Legislation to make Erie County
Businesses Exempt from the smoking ban!
It is called Free Enterprise!
You can act to help save these businesses and these jobs..
Be the first to offer options to businesses Smoking/Non smoking!
From this point forward Erie County will be excempt from the all out ban on smoking in Restaurants and Taverns. Let Erie County set the stage and be the first one up to the plate to offer the businesses the option of being a smoking or non-smoking place of business!
What effect has this law had on local businesses? Jobs have been lost, benefits taken away from employees, Sales Tax revenue is down, what effect will this have on the economy with the loss of sales taxes? Where will this revenue come from? Will the non smoking crowd pay for it, NO! They are only in the business of infringing their agenda upon the backs of the localilities, as the state does with the unfunded mandates.
It is high time we tell Albany to stay out of our affairs!
Stand up for the Rights of these businesses and the jobs!
Pass Legislation now.
Help save western New York!
I will be making a web page to send out to all residents of Western New York,
Government according to the Constitution is to be,
For the People
By the People
Not for and by the taxpayer funded special interest groups!
Stand up for our Rights!
Rus Thompson
Grand Island, NY
10th Legislative, 144th Assembly, 60th Senate District
I know who my representatives are, and I vote and will vote against all of them
if they don't start standing up for our Rights!
Don't tell me that this is not how Government works !
Right now New York State government doesn't work !
We can make it work for us for a change.
That's good! And good luck with this.
The state of Maine is already lost. It's almost impossible to get a law reversed once it is set into action. Pity.
And I never had a chance to even vote on a smoking ban in Maine. The lawmakers and the Governor just went right along with the anti's in this state and did it.
Partnership For a Tobacco Free Maine
CHOKING MAINE'S ECONOMY
Key word "almost", we need to put pressure on the locals to see if they really care about the survival of the economy.
We should make this a national movement. Make the locals stand up and be held accountable!
Actually, I'm in favor of the no-smoking law. Ouch. Stop it! Okay, okay . . . Ow!
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