Legislation
10 Minute Rule Bill
7 Jun 2006 : Column 273
This Bill would require that tobacco firms modify their cigarettes so that they have a reduced ignition propensity. Essentially, that means that such cigarettes go out if left without being drawn on for more than a few seconds. The House is of course well aware of the toll of premature death and disease caused by smoking. As a result of recent debates, if nothing else, we are also now well informed about the damage that breathing in other people’s smoke can do to one’s health. However, there is a third element of the misery caused by smoking that is perhaps less well understood, and that is the number of deaths and injuries from fires started by cigarettes. I commend the Fire Brigades Union and Action on Smoking and Health for the work they have done to highlight the continuing risks associated with smouldering cigarettes.
Read the full Hansard transcript at www.publications.parliament.uk
EDM 2290
REDUCED IGNITION PROPENSITY CIGARETTES 06.06.2006
Taylor, David
That this House notes that in recent years across the UK an average of more than 5,000 fires in buildings have been caused annually by smoking materials, resulting in more than 100 deaths and almost 1,500 non-fatal injuries; further notes that UK Government research shows that most such fires could be prevented if tobacco manufacturers were required to make simple modifications to their cigarettes to ensure reduced ignition propensity; congratulates the states of New York, Illinois and Vermont and the government of Canada for introducing this regulatory requirement; supports moves by the European Commission to require such action in the European Union under the General Product Safety Directive, which is being discussed on 13th and 14th June; looks forward to the introduction of the hon. Member for North West Leicestershire's Fire Safety (Reduced Ignition Propensity in Cigarettes) Bill on Wednesday 7th June; and calls on the UK Government through the Department of Trade and Industry to give its active and public support to the Commission's proposal.
Read the list of MPs who signed EDM 2290
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