GOVERNOR LINGLE SIGNS FIRE-SAFE CIGARETTE BILL

For Immediate Release:  July 7, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today signed a bill (HB2438 HD2 SD2 CD1) to require only fire-safe cigarettes be sold in Hawai‘i starting October 1, 2009. 

These reduced ignition cigarettes, currently approved for sale in 10 other states, burn at a lower temperature thereby reducing possible fire hazards caused by smoldering cigarettes.  The Hawai‘i Fire Council reported there were 438 fires caused by cigarettes in Hawai‘i between 2001 and 2006, causing $1.5 million in property damage and resulting in 10 injuries.

The Hawai‘i Fire Council supports this bill and Governor Lingle decided to remove the measure from the potential veto list after receiving assurances from the fire chiefs that they will work to implement the program within their current budget and seek amendments to the bill in 2009.

“Low ignition cigarettes can help reduce accidental fires as well as injuries caused by smoldering cigarettes,” said Governor Lingle.  “However, these types of cigarettes are not guaranteed to be self-extinguishing, therefore smokers must continue to take personal responsibility to extinguish cigarettes properly and ensure lit cigarettes are not left unattended.”

The legislation was originally placed on the potential veto list because it did not provide the Council, which has only a part-time staff, with the resources to implement the program.  The bill calls for a $375 fee for the Fire Council to certify each low-ignition cigarette type that would be sold in the state.  However, the bill placed these fees in the State’s general fund, thus failing to make the money available to the Fire Council.  The fire chiefs have indicated they will seek to change this provision in the 2009 legislative session.

Currently there are 2,156 brand styles of cigarettes listed in the Hawai‘i Tobacco Directory.  There are, according to New York State records, about 1,216 brands and styles that qualify as reduced ignition cigarettes.  Hawai‘i plans to use the certifications from other states to start its program in 2009. 

The new law, Act 218, takes effect immediately.

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For more information, contact:

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043