NFPA: Civilian cigarette-related fires drop to 30-year low

Quincy, MA – In 2010, 610 civilians died from fires attributed to smoking materials such as cigarettes – a 30-year low, according to a report (.pdf file) issued in March by the National Fire Protection Association.

The findings were based on estimates from the National Fire Incident Reporting System and a survey of fire departments.

Among other findings in the report:

• Smoking-material fires were associated with 1,570 civilian injuries in 2010.
• 1 out of 4 fatality victims did not smoke the fire-starting cigarette.
• Falling asleep while smoking was the primary “human factor” associated with these fatalities.

All 50 states were required to comply with fire-safe regulations requiring cigarettes to have reduced ignition strength by the end of 2011, which may be partially attributable to the decrease in this fire type, researchers said.