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.
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