Fire-Safe Cigarettes - Reduced Ignition Propensity
The Vermont law (20 V.S.A. 2757) that requires all cigarettes sold or offered for sale in Vermont to meet standards for reduced ignition propensity went in to effect May 1, 2006. Cigarettes certified under this law must be re-certified by the manufacturer every three years.
Vermont became the second state in the country to require that all cigarettes sold in Vermont meet the criteria for Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) cigarettes, also called fire-safe cigarettes. FSC cigarettes are designed to limit the risk that a cigarette will ignite upholstered furniture, mattresses, household furnishing or other combustible material.
The FSC cigarettes are designed to stop burning when left unattended, but otherwise have the same characteristics as other cigarettes. The term "fire-safe" cigarettes, is a misnomer. Cigarettes that meet the fire standard can and will start fires. Common sense precautions still need to be used when disposing of cigarettes or other smoking materials to prevent fires from starting. The enforcement of the FSC cigarette law is a cooperative effort of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Liquor Control and the Office of Attorney General.
Highlights
- The Vermont law that requires all cigarettes sold or offered for sale in Vermont to meet standards for reduced ignition propensity went in to effect May 1, 2006. Cigarettes certified under this law must be re-certified by the manufacturer every three years.
- All cigarettes sold or offered for sale in Vermont must have written certification indicating the cigarettes have been tested in accordance with ASTM E2187-04, “Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes”, and have met the performance requirements of ASTM E2187-04. An alternative test method may be approved if a cigarette cannot be tested in accordance with ASTM E2187-04 due to the unique characteristics of the cigarette.
- To obtain approval for sale of fire standard compliant cigarettes in Vermont the following information must be submitted to the Division of Fire Safety
Packaging Marking Approval Process for Vermont
- A cover letter identifying the cigarette manufacturer and the contact person for the manufacturer.
- A copy of the marking approval from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
- Sample packs or cartons, or copies, clearly showing the proposed marking.
- The marking is required to be in a font of at least eight-point type and include one of the following:
- Modifications of the product UPC Code to include a visible mark printed at or around the area of the UPC Code. The mark may consist of one or more alphanumeric or symbolic characters permanently stamped, engraved, embossed, or printed in conjunction with the UPC Code.
- Any visible combination of alphanumeric or symbolic characters permanently printed, stamped, engraved or embossed, on the cigarette package or cellophane wrap.
- Printed, stamped, engraved or embossed text that indicates that the cigarettes meet the law.
- To obtain approval for sale of fire standard compliant cigarettes in Vermont the following information must be submitted to the Division of Fire Safety:
- A cover letter identifying the cigarette manufacturer and the contact person for the manufacturer.
- Written certification from the manufacturer attesting that each cigarette has been tested in accordance with and has met the performance requirements of ASTM E2187-04 including those standards listed under 20 V.S.A. section 2757(b). Test results submitted from an independent testing laboratory must be accompanied by certification from the manufacturer.
- The description of each cigarette listed in the certification must include the brand; style; length in millimeters; circumference in millimeters; flavor; filter or nonfilter; package description and the packaging marking approved under 20 V.S.A. section 2757(d).
- All packaging for fire-safe cigarettes approved for sale in Vermont must be marked in accordance with 20 V.S.A. section 2757(d). The marking must be uniformly applied on all packages, including packs, cartons and cases of cigarettes marketed by that manufacturer. A manufacturer must use only one marking on all brands approved for sale in Vermont. Each manufacturer must now re-certify the package marking being used for cigarettes sold in Vermont. The intent of Vermont law is to have all cigarettes sold in Vermont use the same marking as cigarettes approved for sale in New York State. Any marking approved and in use in New York State will be approved for Vermont.
Send all information to:
Robert Sponable - Deputy Director
Vermont Department of Public Safety
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-8200
(802) 479-7566
Information and Resources
List of Cigarettes that Meet Fire Standards and are Approved for Sale in Vermont
Cigarette Compliantance Certification/ Re-Certification Form
Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes