New ‘fire-safe’ cigarettes drawing smokers’ ire

THIBODAUX — Starting today, self-extinguishing cigarettes are what local smokers should find in their packs.The so-called fire-safe cigarettes, indicated by the letters “FSC,” have bands of paper several layers thick surrounding the tobacco, making it more likely to go out if it’s not actively being smoked. The goal is to prevent fires and deaths associated with lit cigarettes.
Starting today, vendors must buy and sell fire-safe cigarettes in Louisiana. Eighteen states already require the special cigarettes. Louisiana and 13 others will join the list this year.
The change has some smokers upset.
Nick Richard, 58, of Thibodaux, says he must relight his Marlboro Ultra Lights up to three times per cigarette.
“If you put it down for more than a minute it goes out,” Richard said. “It’s just a huge pain.”
Mark Tortorich, owner of the Tobacco Outlet Discount in Thibodaux, said some of his customers are unhappy at the change.
“Customers have been complaining,” Tortorich said. “Some people say it tastes different, others don’t like having to relight it. I tell customers to call their cigarette manufacturers.”
Manufacturers say the change won’t affect cigarettes’ taste or appearance.
“There are no additional chemicals,” said Frank Lester, a spokesman for tobacco company R.J. Reynolds said. “The difference is the paper bands.”
Lester and David Sutton, a spokesman for tobacco compnay Philip Morris, say smokers must still be careful.
“It’s important to point out to consumers that anything that burns, if handled carelessly, will still burn,” Sutton said. “Nothing that burns is fire safe.”
Manufacturers who sell cigarettes in violation of the new standard could be fined up to $100 per pack. Subsequent violations could result in higher fines.
Stores are allowed to sell any remaining stocks of non-fire-safe cigarettes purchased prior to today.
Chad Mire, Thibodaux’s assistant fire chief, said the new cigarettes should help reduce fires caused by unattended cigarettes.
“It’s a great thing,” Mire said. “Anything that can benefit fighting or preventing fires is a good thing.”
Richard, however, says he remains unhappy with the change, especially given the recent tax increases on his smokes.
“I’m very upset by this,” he said.