Health Canada is considering regulations to reduce the number of fires caused by cigarettes. If all goes as planned, new reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes could be on the shelves within 2 years. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs says about 70 Canadians die each year in fires caused by careless smoking, and another 400 are injured; 95% of these fires are caused by cigarettes.
In February the Commons Standing Committee on Health considered input about RIP cigarettes, and Health Canada has until the fall to produce recommendations for new regulations. Myriam Montrat, associate director of the Office of Regulations and Compliance at Health Canada's Tobacco Control Program, says the regulatory process could take 18 months.
One of industry's principal objections is that RIP cigarettes may be more toxic than regular cigarettes. But tests show that Merit, the world's first RIP cigarette, is not significantly more toxic, says Montrat. Released by Philip Morris in the US in July 2000 and in New Zealand in April 2001, Merit has a significantly reduced potential to cause a fire. It sports bands of ultra-thin paper applied on top of traditional cigarette paper, and they act as “speed bumps” to slow the combustion rate.
In August 2000, New York State became the first jurisdiction in the world to pass legislation mandating RIP cigarettes (CMAJ 2000;163[5]:588). In Ontario, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters and matches caused 9.5% of fires between 1995 and 1997, but 40.8% of fatalities. Cooking equipment caused 26.5% of fires and 12.4% of deaths. The difference is probably related to careless handling while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. — Barbara Sibbald, CMAJ