Why are “fire safer” cigarettes important for public health? Fire-safer cigarettes are a proven, practical, and effective way to eliminate the risk of cigarette-ignited home fires. Indeed, cigarettes are responsible for one third of fire deaths and most non fatal injuries in most European countries . The victims are often from low income households and include non-smokers, babies, older people, children, adults and fire fighters . There is ample evidence that “fire safer” cigarettes work : they were introduced in New York City in 2004 and, in 22 US States and Canada . Since their introduction on the market, “fire safer” cigarettes have reduced home fires and saved thousands of lives.

What is the situation at European level? In November 2007, EU Member States agreed on the introduction of a pan-European standard to produce “fire-safer” cigarettes . To develop this European standard, a mandate was given to CEN, the European Committee for Standardization. The mandate recommends using the ASTM E 2187 Standard as a reference . However, CEN had no appropriate technical body to deal with this and ISO, the International Standards Organization, was asked to develop the standard on its behalf.

What is the situation at Member States Level? On the 11th of November 2008, Finland’s Parliament approved the proposal to regulate the ignition propensity of cigarettes. The new requirements follow the examples of Canada, Australia and several U.S. States, using ASTM E2187-04 standard. Requirements will come into force on the 1 April 2010 and from then on, only RIP-cigarettes will be legally sold in Finland. In parallel, the UK is also developing a national standard .

What is happening at European Level? CEN accepted the mandate and a joint group between tobacco and safety experts was set up at ISO level. It is our understanding that the tobacco experts will attempt to slow down the standardization process and point to other less proven standards than ASTM E 2187 , . What can be done: According to the mandate, all cigarettes sold throughout the European Union should be self-extinguishing by 2011 . The EU RIP Alliance should monitor the progress of ISO and ask that the standards adopted in Finland (based on ASTM 2187) be used as the reference for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

For more information, please visit the SFP website on http://www.smokefreepartnership.eu/Public-hearing-on-reduced-ignition

There is no time to loose: It is important to have a European standard as quickly as possible, as we know it will save lives.