LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan proposed by State Representative Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) to limit the sale of novelty lighters, which are often shaped like toys, cartoon figures and other items attractive to children.
"As adults, we teach children to not play with fire, but today many lighters look like toys," Mayes said. "There are too many novelty lighters on our store shelves and the risk of these lighters getting into a child's hands is far too great. Regulating the sale of these dangerous lighters will significantly decrease this risk and hopefully save lives."
Mayes' plan will allow the State Fire Marshal to restrict the sale of novelty lighters and set higher product standards. Novelty lighters are devices capable of igniting cigarettes or cigars that the State Fire Marshal determines to have the appearance of a toy, collectible or other object not generally used as an ignition device.
Last September in Arkansas, two toddlers were killed after starting a fire while playing with a motorcycle-shaped lighter that featured a flame from the tailpipe. Novelty cigarette lighters are coming under fire across the country as a result of the incident. The National Fire Protection Agency does not record the number of fires started by novelty lighters, but the agency reported children playing with fire caused 210 deaths and 13,900 structure fires in 2002. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports children under five cause more than 5,000 residential fires every year. A growing number of states and municipalities have already banned or considered banning the sale of novelty lighters, including Oregon, Arkansas, California, Maine and Washington.
"We all know children are curious, but there are just too many incidences of people getting seriously injured because of these lighters and something has to be done," Mayes said. "I have worked with the State Fire Marshal, the Bay City Fire Marshal and others throughout the state to get this legislation passed. I am proud that Michigan will soon join other states around the nation who have taken action to restrict the sale of novelty lighters."