Passage of Fire-Safe Cigarette Legislation in North Carolina

While efforts to regulate cigarettes as a fire hazard have occurred for over 30 years, recent legislative progress has resulted in substantial new protections. This presentation will chronicle the new legislative progression in the United States and in North Carolina, the leading tobacco producing state in the nation. Government records and tobacco industry documents show the positive impact that producing a fire safe cigarette has on the reduction of fatal fires. North Carolina's particular effort to pass a cigarette standard illustrates that partnerships between different organizations in the public health and safety fields have the power to influence government leaders even in a state where tobacco cultivation and manufacturing play a vital part of the economy. The story behind North Carolina's passage of the Fire Safety Standard and Fire Fighter Protection Act can encourage all remaining states to pursue similar legislation.