News Release
2004-19
April 30, 2004
For immediate release
Minister Pettigrew proposes regulations for manufacturing standards to reduce fire-risk
of cigarettes
OTTAWA - Health Canada's proposed regulations to address the public safety
concern resulting from cigarette-started fires are now at the next stage of public consultation.
These regulations would require tobacco manufacturers to meet an ignition propensity standard
intended to reduce the fire-risk of cigarettes. The regulations will be published in the Canada
Gazette Part I on Saturday, May 1, 2004, for public consultation.
"Canada would be the first country to have a national cigarette ignition propensity standard,
once these regulations are enacted," said Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew. "This is an
important step towards reducing the unnecessary death, injury and property damage caused
by cigarette fires."
Smokers' materials are the leading cause of fire-related fatalities and loss in Canada
each year. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs reported for the period 1995-1999 that
at least 14,030 fires were started by smokers' materials, which includes cigarettes, cigars
and pipes. These fires killed 356 people, injured 1,615 and cost more than $200 million
in property damage. The victims of these fires are often among society's most vulnerable,
such as children, the elderly and the poor.
"Health Canada deserves the thanks of the entire Canadian Fire Services for taking positive
steps to reduce the danger of fires caused by cigarettes," said Fire Chief Ken Kelly, president
of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.
The regulations would require all cigarettes manufactured or imported for sale in Canada
to meet a performance standard whereby no more than 25 per cent of cigarettes tested burn
their full length when tested on 10 layers of filter paper using the Standard Test Method
for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes.
"Reduced ignition propensity does not mean fire-safe," said Minister Pettigrew. "It is
impossible to make a burning object completely fire-safe. However, we feel these regulations
will save lives by significantly reducing the number of fires started by cigarettes."
For further information, please see attached backgrounder or visit our website at www.gosmokefree.ca.
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Media Inquiries:
Margot Geduld/Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Sébastien Théberge/Adèle Blanchard
Office of Minister Pettigrew
Minister of Health
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Responsible for Official Languages
(613) 957-0200
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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