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House approves cigarette-ignition standard bill aimed at reducing smoking-related fires
Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 200 requiring reduced-ignition-propensity cigarettes, with sponsor citing a 19952005 study of about 24,000 residential fires in Utah and arguing the standard saves lives; the measure passed 63-8 and will return to the Senate for action.
Representative Keiser (transcript also shows 'Kaiser' in spots) moved to uncircle and bring Senate Bill 200 forward. The sponsor told the chamber the bill is "about saving lives," citing a ten-year study (19952005) reporting roughly 24,000 residential fires in Utah during that period, about 10 percent attributed to cigarettes, 41 civilian deaths and approximately $5 million in property loss. The sponsor described a technical change to cigarette paper ("speed bumps" or "knuckles") designed to reduce ignition when cigarettes are left burning.
Members questioned enforcement and market impacts. Representative Wimmer asked how enforcement would work; the sponsor said manufacturers would face an assessment and the Utah State Fire Marshal would receive funds to verify compliance (the sponsor referenced a $250 per cigarette assessment concept and a fiscal note). The sponsor also referred to companies that produce the cigarette papers and said studies show no consumer-price increase but reduced fire risk.
Several members, including Representative Wiley (a building official), urged passage on public-safety grounds and recounted firefighting and injury experiences. The previous question was called and sustained; the clerk announced the final tally as 63 yes and 8 no, and the bill passed the House as amended and will be returned to the Senate for further action.
