News
Several States Considering Novelty Lighter Bans
With the 2009 legislative session underway in states across the nation, awareness of the dangers presented by novelty lighters continues to gain traction in state legislatures. Toy-like or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the country. Children are especially at risk because they are attracted to novelty lighters thinking they are toys. Tennessee and Maine are the only states that have passed laws prohibiting the sale and distribution of novelty lighters. However, new laws are being considered all over the nation, including in Oregon where legislation has passed the State House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by the Governor in the near future.
Since the beginning of the year, a number of states have introduced legislation that would put limits on, or ban, the sale of novelty lighters. State legislatures in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Vermont and Washington are all considering bills that would prohibit the sale and distribution of novelty lighters, while the Virginia legislature is eyeing a bill that would prohibit the sale of novelty lighters for those under the age of 18. Other states like Iowa have active legislation requiring the completion of safety studies and research before further action is taken.
In addition to pending state government legislation, many local units of government have banned novelty lighter sales. On the federal level, the “Protect Children from Dangerous Lighters Act” (S. 3375) was introduced in the United States Senate on July 31, 2008, by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Chris Dodd (D-CT). The bill bans the sale of novelty lighters.
The NVFC tracks efforts to ban the sale and distribution of novelty lighters throughout the country. We recently updated our national map with information on new bills in various states, which can be viewed at: http://www.nvfc.org/page/1092/Novelty_Lighter_Legislation.htm.
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Kimberly Ettinger
Director of Communications
202-887-5700 ext. 19
David Finger
Director of Government Relations
202-887-5700 ext. 12