London Fire Brigade has today backed a decision by the EU, which should see a large reduction in the number of people killed or injured in fires caused by cigarettes.
European Union countries have agreed to set a new “fire safer standard” for all cigarettes sold in the EU. The decision will now go the European standards body, CEN, for a new standard to be developed.
Throughout this year London Fire Brigade and the Mayor’s office have worked as part of a coalition of organisations including other UK fire services, health and tobacco control groups, calling for the introduction of the standard which could prevent thousands of fires and hundreds of deaths across Europe every year.
The standard will require all cigarettes sold in EU countries to be ‘reduced ignition propensity’ cigarettes. This would mean that each cigarette has bands in the paper down its length, which cause it to go out if not puffed by the smoker.
The standard is already in force in Canada and many US states. It is estimated that its introduction in the UK, could prevent up to two thirds of cigarette related fires.
Val Shawcross, Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said: “This is great news for Londoners of course, but the benefits go way beyond London and will be felt across the UK and Europe.
“A carelessly discarded cigarette, or someone falling asleep while smoking, is all it takes to start of a chain of events that can lead to death and serious property damage, whilst also risking the safety of firefighters dealing with the incident. This situation is not acceptable, so we’re delighted that this standard has been approved and that an impact can be made on the hundreds of cigarette related fire deaths that the UK sees every year.”
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: “I am very pleased that the EU have reached this decision. My office and the London Fire Brigade and other agencies have been working hard across the EU for this to happen. By making cigarettes less able to burn by themselves, we have a real opportunity to prevent the hundreds of injuries and deaths that are caused by cigarette related fires in London.”
Note to editors:
Notes for Editors:
London Fire Brigade is part of the “RIP Coalition” (www.firesafercigarettes.org.uk), which includes other UK fire services and health campaigners, who have been pressing the European Commission this year to introduce a new fire safer standard.
Government research estimates that the introduction of these cigarettes could cut the number of fires caused by cigarettes by up to two thirds. A fire safer standard is already in force in New York State and other US states and in Canada.
In 2004, fires caused by smoking materials led to 114 deaths and 1,300 non-fatal casualties in 3,500 fires across the UK
It is estimated that, in London, around 40% of all fatalities in accidental house fires are caused by smoking materials.
The fire safer cigarettes do not taste different to other cigarettes.
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
