ASH Australia media release                                        March 4, 2005

Fire chiefs and health groups back national standard for “Reduced Fire Risk” cigarettes 

Warning that delays will costs lives and threaten fire fighters

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Health leaders have backed a call by Fire and Emergency Chiefs for all tobacco products to comply with a “Reduced Fire Risk” (RFR) standard - warning that further delays by the Federal Government will risk lives and threaten fire fighters.

The Emergency Services Ministers’ meeting in Canberra today (March 4) agreed to draft a national standard for reduced fire risk cigarettes by March 31 2006, after hearing that more than 4500 fires are caused in Australia each year by tobacco products.*

State and territory fire chiefs backed the move, calling it a win for the public and firefighters.

However, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has rejected the call, claiming more research is needed - even though national standards for RFR cigarettes have been introduced in Canada and New York.

Says Professor Simon Chapman, a Sydney University researcher into RFR cigarettes and board member of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Australia:

“Tobacco-caused fires in Australia each year kill an average of fourteen people and cost the nation more than $80 million*.

“What we need is government support not further delays as Australian cigarettes, like products in the US and Canada, are laced with burn enhancers. When thrown out of cars or dropped onto furniture they cause a huge number of bush and house fires as well as loss of life and unnecessary risks for firefighters. 

“The tobacco companies have long possessed the technology to produce RFR cigarettes, but have covered this up for twenty-five years and worked behind the scenes to delay legislation that would have saved lives and reduce fire risks.

ASH is calling on the Commonwealth to end further delays over the introduction of a national standard before more lives and properties are lost from cigarette-caused fires.

* See Chapman, S and Balmain, A, “Time to legislate for fire-safe cigarettes in Australia”
in Medical Journal of Australia  2004; 181(6): 292-293

Comment:        Professor Simon Chapman                m. 0438-340-304                       
Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia       m. 0417-227-879

Media inquiries:            Stafford Sanders      ph. (02) 9334-1823;  m. 0412-070-194 

Page last updated on 4/3/05