South Carolina House Approves Bill Calling for Fire-Safe Cigarettes

Tobacco companies would have to ensure cigarettes meet fire safety standards under legislation that has won key approval in the South Carolina House.

Such cigarettes use slow-burning paper and go out when they aren’t being puffed.

South Carolina is one of 12 states acting on such legislation this year. R.J. Reynolds said its cigarettes would meet the standards by 2009. Philip Morris said it would like a uniform federal law, but doesn’t oppose new state laws as long as they are consistent with other state laws.

The legislation says manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who sell cigarettes that don’t meet the standards would pay a fine of $100 per pack.