Evidence shows that the number of fatalities can be reduced by over 40% with the introduction of ‘Reduced Ignition Propensity’ (RIP) cigarettes. This means cigarettes which self extinguish when left unattended and which are thus less likely to cause fire.
This safety measure is already in place in some countries globally (US, Canada, Australia), and, in the EU, in Finland since April 2010, the European Commission said in a press release Monday.
Starting November 17, 2011, once the new safety standards are published in the EU Official Journal all cigarettes sold in Europe will have to comply with these measures and national authorities will have to see that this new fire safety measure is enforced.
“There is no such thing as a safe cigarette, and, obviously, the safest thing is not to smoke at all! But if people choose to smoke then the new standards which are about to fully enter into force will require tobacco companies to make only reduced ignition propensity cigarettes, and potentially protect hundreds of citizens from this fire hazard,” said John Dalli, EU Health and Consumer Commissioner.
Data from member states covering 2003 to 2008 show that, in the EU, cigarette related fires cause more than 30,000 fires every year, with more than 1,000 deaths and over 4,000 injuries. The experience from Finland, where the number of victims of cigarette-ignited fires has fallen by 43%, suggests that nearly 500 lives could be saved in the EU every year, the EC said in the release.
Tutunul reprezintă cel mai important risc pentru sănătate evitabil în Europa, care se estimează că provoacă moartea a peste jumătate de milion de oameni în UE în fiecare an. Comisia își reafirmă angajamentul față de o “Europă fără fum de țigară” și abordează această chestiune prin intermediul campaniei sale actuale la nivelul UE: “Ex-fumătorii sunt de neoprit”.
The new standards, which have been drawn up under the General Product Safety Directive, obliging producers to place only safe products on the market, require reduced ignition propensity, which is the ability of a cigarette left unattended to start a fire.
Cigarette paper manufacturers have changed their paper production to insert two rings of thicker paper at two points along the cigarette. If the cigarette is left unattended the burning tobacco will hit one of these rings and should then self-extinguish, because the ring restricts the air / oxygen supply. A RIP cigarette cuts down the burning time, thus reducing the chance to ignite furniture, bedding or other material, the EC said.