Our mission is to reduce the number of injuries and deaths due to injuries, 
through prevention, improved trauma care, and improved rehabilitation.

Trauma Foundation
SF General Hospital
Bldg 1 Room 300
San Francisco, CA 94110

Phone:415/821-8209
Fax: 415/821-8202
email: tf@traumaf.org

July 14, 2004

How California and Other States Can 
STOP Murder by Fire--Fire-Safe Cigarettes Now!

Cigarette-caused fires are the leading cause of fire-related deaths in the United States, resulting in some 1,000 deaths and 2, 500 injuries annually. But now, one state has acted to put a stop to this needless death and suffering. As of June 28th, 2004,  New York is leading the nation by becoming the first state in the country to require that cigarettes be self-extinguishing or fire-safe. The New York law will help to prevent hundreds of deaths and serious injuries each year.  In addition, many people will be spared the emotional, financial, and psychological trauma associated with the loss or injury of a loved one from a cigarette-ignited fire.  Canada already has enacted a fire-safe cigarette law, using the New York standard, that will take effect next year.

After years of denying responsibility for cigarette-ignited fires and refusing to publicly acknowledge their own research on fire-safe cigarettes, all the major cigarette companies have met the regulations set forth in the New York law.  Despite this, the tobacco industry is refusing to make available fire-safe cigarettes in other states. And the current Congress is not interested in passing a national fire-safe cigarette law.

Therefore, California and other states can't afford to let the tobacco industry continue to make irresponsible decisions, resulting in the needless and tragic deaths of children, elders, firefighters, and others. By demanding that cigarettes sold in California and other states be fire-safe and meet the standards set forth by the New York law, we have the power to put a stop to hundreds of deaths and injuries from fires started by smoldering cigarettes. Why wait? It is time to stop the calculated "murder by fire" of smokers and innocent victims.

Resources
 Finally, Fire-Safe Cigarettes (editorial) San Francisco Chronicle 7/12/04

Trauma Foundation Fire-Safe Cigarette Resources

• Sleeping Death (Trauma Foundation fire-safe cigarette homepage)

• Burning Down the House --Cigarette Manufacturers Choose Profits Over Safety

• Update on the Fire-Safe Cigarette– How New York State Legislation Will Lead to the Availability of Fire-Safe Cigarettes Across the Nation 

• Other Trauma Foundation Fire-Safe Cigarette info