• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Politics / Govt / Fire-safe cigs get another push at the capitol

Fire-safe cigs get another push at the capitol

January 11, 2008 By WRN Contributor

Lawmakers officially introduce fire-safe cigarette legislation, requiring the sale of only self-extinguishing cigarettes in Wisconsin.

State Senator Judy Robson (D-Beloit) says this bill is designed to prevent fires caused by unattended cigarettes.

"We have seen an increase in fires that have been caused by the careless use of smoking material. And it happens much too often."

Beloit Fire Chief Brad Liggett points out that fire departments are charged with fire prevention. He says fire prevention should be equal to — or even greater than — fire fighting. He says eliminating a cause of fire, reduces the chance of death.

Madison Fire Chief Debra Amesqua says the careless use of cigarettes is the leading cause of residential fire deaths, killing about 1,000 Americans a year.

"Most smoking-related home fires happen on beds, on furniture, in the trash can when the smoker puts out the cigarette in an inappropriate way; Or hot ashes are tossed in the trash; Or when a smoker falls asleep with a cigarette in their hand."

Amesqua says fire departments nationwide are encouraging smokers to deal with their cigs in three ways:

"You put it out … all the way out … every time."

State Representative Doc Hines (R-Oxford) says Wisconsin has always been a national leader when it comes to public health. He says requiring fire safe cigarettes will dramatically reduce the number of fatal fires in our state, reason enough, he believes, to pass this legislation, which they hope to do by the end of the year.

Twenty-two states have already enacted similar legislation.

Also see: www.firesafecigarettes.org

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:36 MP3)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Politics / Govt



Featured Stories

Future of abortion in Wisconsin hinges on SCOTUS ‘Roe’ decision

Juvenile arrested in connection with death of Lily Peters

Missing Chippewa Falls girl found dead, police seek suspect

Medical marijuana legislation gets public hearing at Capitol

Tommy Thompson announces he will not run for governor

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC