MN Department of Public SafetyState Fire Marshal Division

Fire Standard CompliantCigarette Program

Terminology• Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) Cigarette

– Commonly Accepted• Reduced Ignition Propensity (RIP) Cigarette

– Statutory Reference (MS 299F.850 – 859)

• Fire Safe Cigarette– Original Reference

• Fire Safe Cigarette Coalition• www.firesafecigarettes.org

– No such thing as a fire safe cigarette – even the FSC cigarettes– Please do not use this term

What is an FSC Cigarette?

• A cigarette that will self-extinguish if:– Left Unattended– Not Actively Smoked

• Not fool proof– 25% of the test trial may not meet the testing criteria– This is acceptable under the standard

Why are FSC Cigarettes Important?

• National– Leading cause of fatal fires in homes– 700 to 900 smoking related fire fatalities each year– 25% of the fatalities are not the smokers

• Minnesota– 4% of structure fires are smoking related– 7 / 40 (18%) of fire fatalities in 2007– 5 / 32 (16%) of fire fatalities in 2008

What Products Are Included?

• Included– Paper Wrapped Cigarettes– Must Contain Tobacco

• Not Included– Herbal Cigarettes– Cigars– Little Cigars– Pipes and Pipe Tobacco– Roll Your Own Cigarettes

Testing Method

• ASTM Standard E2187-04– Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of

Cigarettes• Testing Laboratories

– Independent– Manufacturer’s Lab– Must be ISO / IEC 17025 Accredited

• Equivalent Test Method Approved by the State Fire Marshal

• Another State’s Fire Marshal

How is the Test Conducted?

FSC Technology

Test Burns

Test Burns

Test Burns

Product Marking

FSC•All packages, cartons and cases•Located in the area of the UPC code•Must be uniform•May be stamped, engraved, embossed or printed

Manufacturer’s Requirements• Effective December 1, 2008• All cigarettes shipped for sale in MN must be FSC

certified• Certifications Issued by SFM• Three Year Certification• $250 Fee per Brand Style• New York State – 1,100 + Certified Brand Styles

Wholesalers / Distributors

• Effective December 1, 2008– Must only ship FSC cigarettes to retailers– Provide each retailer with copy of FSC markings– Must allow SFM, AG, and Commissioner of

Revenue access to records• May sell existing stock if stamped prior to

12/1/08• May house non-FSC cigarettes for sale outside

MN.

Retailers

• Effective December 1, 2008 must sell only FSC cigarettes

• May continue to sell existing inventory if stamped before 12/1/08

• Must allow SFM, AG and Commissioner of Revenue access to records.

Consumers

• This is not an anti-smoking campaign• No change in taste• No increase in cost• No increase in toxicity (Harvard School of Public Health

Study)

• Look for FSC marking

Fire Service• Reporting

– File MFIRS Report– Submit separate report cigarette fire report– Please submit within 24 hours of the

• Report form available on the SFM – FSC Web site at www.fire.state.mn.us/FSC/FSCMain.htm

• Single page form• Needed to track effectiveness of FSC program for report to

MN Legislature

Bob Dahm, Chief DeputyState Fire Marshal444 Cedar Street, Suite 145St. Paul, MN 55101-5145

651-201-7202Robert.Dahm@state.mn.us

www.fire.state.mn.us

Contact for Questions