DODGY CIGARETTE LIGHTERS BANNED IN WEST MIDLANDS

12.00.00am GMT Fri 16th Mar 2007

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne today expressed delight that in a bid to cut deaths and injuries from fire and thanks to EU legislation, dangerous cigarette lighters have this week been banned from sale in the West Midlands.

With over a billion lighters sold in the EU every year the European Commission estimates that almost three quarters of them are not compliant with existing health and safety requirements.

A new EU law means that from this week cigarette lighters must be fitted with child resistant devices, costing around 3p each, and those not meeting the strict new requirements cannot be sold.

Commenting Liz Lynne MEP said:

"Children can all too easily get their hands on cigarette lighters from their parent's bags and pockets. The new laws are an essential precaution and are an example of sensible EU lawmaking"

"If spending an extra few pence on making the lighters saves only one burn then it has to be worth it."

The new ban also covers novelty cigarette lighters that are shaped as toys.

The European Commission has launched a joint project with national authorities to ensure the ban is fully implemented.

Notes to Editors:

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) claim that making lighters safer will make a massive difference in preventing horrific fires that can devastate families.

The decision is expected to prevent 5 deaths and 220 injuries each year in the UK.

In the US where child resistant lighters were introduced in 1995 there has been a 60% reduction in fires, injuries and deaths caused by children under 5.

A European standard (EN 13869:2002) establishes child-resistance specifications for lighters. Lighters that comply with the relevant specifications of this European standard are presumed to conform to the Commission Decision.