Cigarettes and other smoking materials are a leading cause of fires and fire-related deaths in the United States. To reduce smoking-related fires, public safety officials, in cooperation with cigarette companies, have now adopted a specific “fire-safe cigarette” standard for the manufacture of cigarettes.
A fire-safe cigarette is manufactured to have a reduced propensity to burn when left unattended. The most common fire-safe technology used is to manufacture cigarettes with a paper wrapper having two or three thin bands of less-porous paper, which act in a manner like a speed bump in a parking lot: to slow down a burning cigarette.
Although “fire-safe” is a commonly used descriptor for the reduced ignition propensity cigarettes, keep in mind that there is NO SUCH THING as a truly “fire-safe” cigarette.
If you are going to use smoking materials, the Division of Fire Safety and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend you consider the following safety tips:
- Choose fire-safe cigarettes since they are less likely to cause fires.
- Smoke outside.
- Before you discard cigarette or cigar butts be certain they are out and cool. Dousing in water or placing them in sand is recommended. Also, use caution when emptying ashtrays into the trash.
- Never smoke in a home where medical oxygen is being used.
- Keep matches and lighters stored out of the sight and reach of children.
- Always have working smoke and CO alarms in your home.
Cigarettes approved for sale in Vermont are marked with the designation “FSC” in the vicinity of the uniform product code. Enforcement of the FSC cigarette law is a cooperative effort of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Liquor Control and the Office of the Attorney General.
Vermont Fire Safe Cigarette Manufacturer Certification
The Vermont State Legislature enacted Vermont law 20 V.S.A. § 2757, the Cigarette Ignition Propensity Law, which is otherwise known as the Fire Safe Cigarette Law. This law requires that all cigarette brands sold, or offered for sale in the state of Vermont, be tested in accordance with the test method for reduced ignition propensity cigarettes and meet the performance standard specified and be marked. Additionally, all cigarette brands must be certified by the Vermont State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The written certification is filed by the manufacturer with the State Fire Marshal attesting that each package complies with the requirements.
Checklist for Manufacturer Cigarette Certification Filing
- Fill out Certification form completely - don’t say “see attached information”
- Each Certificate must have an original signature – no photocopy or computer-generated copy of signature
- Cigarette test must have occurred within 4 months of filing/submittal date or certificate will be dated 3 years from test date
- When submitting a cigarette brand older than 4 months from test date, along with those less than 4 months, submit a separate certification form. Don’t use the same certification form for both.
- Packaging for each cigarette brand style must be submitted with certification application – no photocopies or computer-generated copies
- Brand style name on cigarette packaging must match the brand indicated on certificate form
- Specify font style and size used for FSC in cover letter
