[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    FIRE SAFE CIGARETTE ACT OF 1994

  The SPEAKER. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts [Mr. Moakley] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. Moakley. Madam Speaker, today, I introduced the Fire Safe 
Cigarette Act of 1994, which would significantly reduce the number of 
fires caused by carelessly discarded cigarettes. This legislation would 
give the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulatory authority to 
develop a standard for a firesafe cigarette. Cigarette manufacturers 
would then have 1 year to comply with the standard.
  I became involved with this issue back in 1979 when a family of seven 
perished in a cigarette related fire in my congressional district. Five 
young children--all under the age of 10--were needlessly killed. This 
fire could have been prevented if a firesafe cigarette was available.
  I first started working on this issue 15 years ago. Since that time 
more than 20,000 people have been killed by cigarette related fires--
many of them innocent children. The fact that cigarettes have escaped 
fire safety regulations for the past 15 years is particularly 
disturbing to me. The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lawn 
darts after 3 children were killed, but they have been remiss in 
promulgating regulations for cigarettes even though more than 100 
children die each year from cigarette related fires. This is 
unacceptable.
  There is no legitimate reason for further delays. Quite simply, 
firesafe cigarettes are already in the marketplace. Past studies proved 
that it is technically and economically feasible to develop a firesafe 
cigarette and the cigarette manufacturers have proven that it is 
commercially feasible. No more children should have to suffer such a 
horrid death as those young children in my congressional district did 
back in 1979.
  Many people I have talked to over the years do not realize that 
cigarette-related fires are the leading cause of fire deaths. In fact, 
if you asked someone walking down the street that question, they 
probably would say electric space heaters cause more fires. But in 1990 
alone, there were 44,000 cigarette-related fires that resulted in 1,200 
deaths and 3,360 injuries. How many more innocent children have to be 
killed, maimed, or permanently disfigured before responsible action is 
taken?
  These fires take a considerable toll on society. A recent study 
concluded that the direct cost of cigarette-ignited fire deaths, 
injuries, and property damage was $4 billion a year. A mandatory 
firesafe cigarette standard would significantly reduce these costs to 
society. In terms of health care costs alone the savings would be 
enormous. Treatment for burn injuries is the most expensive type of 
medical care today. And these fires disproportionately impact low-
income families--those who have no means of paying the hospital bill. 
This legislation would significantly reduce the number of fires and 
thus reduce health care costs--particularly Medicare and Medicaid.
  In conclusion, cigarette-related fires have been a drain on our 
Nation's resources. We can no longer afford to ignore this insidious 
problem. The studies and the technical work needed to set a performance 
standard have been completed. There are five firesafe cigarettes 
already in the marketplace. Congress now needs to act responsibly and 
pass the Fire Safe Cigarette Act of 1994.

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