The Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette Program ensures that every brand/style of cigarette sold in Massachusetts has been tested in accordance with the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard E2187-04 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of Cigarettes as required by the Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette law (M.G.L. c. 64C, § 2A-2F). The program evaluates compliance by purchasing cigarettes from retail locations across the state and having them tested at an independent laboratory. When fire investigators identify cigarettes that have caused fatal fires, cigarettes of the same brand/style are purchased from the identical location that the smoker purchased them from and tested as well.
The goal is to prevent indoor smoking fires, and the program has been remarkably effective. From 2001 to 2007, an average of 70 cigarette fires per year originated on bedding or upholstered furniture, with about five deaths annually. Since the inception of the FSC law, the average has fallen to 27 fires per year, with about three deaths annually.
Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) Cigarette Program
The Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) Cigarette Program ensures that every brand style of cigarette sold in Massachusetts meets the fire resistance standards set in the Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette law (M.G.L. c. 64C, § 2A-2F). Every three (3) years, cigarette manufacturers must certify that their product has passed the required tests and meet the standard. The goal is to prevent smoking fires by having cigarettes that are not being actively smoked self-extinguish. The program evaluates compliance by purchasing cigarettes throughout the Commonwealth and having them tested at an independent laboratory.
All 50 states have adopted the same standard making this a de facto national standard.
FSC Certification of Cigarettes to be Sold in MA
Cigarette manufacturers must have every brand style of cigarette they wish to sell in Massachusetts certified or re-certified by submitting the FSC Certification Form to the Massachusetts Fire Standard Compliant Certification Program.
To ensure that the testing required by M.G.L. c. 64C, § 2B is relevant to the associated product certification period, such testing shall be completed within the 365 day period prior to the requested certification period start date.
The $3,000 certification fee per brand style is renewable every three years. The fee supports program administration and enforcement activities. Enforcement is a critical component of the law's effectiveness. Cigarettes are purchased from retail locations across the state and tested at an independent laboratory to assure that they meet the ignition standard required by law.
Additional Resources
Cigarette Fire Checklist
Fire investigators should complete the Cigarette Fire Checklist and submit it to the Fire Data and Public Education Unit at the DFS Division of Fire Safety every time a fire investigation determines the cause of the fire to be a cigarette. The information provided on this checklist helps DFS to identify cigarette fire trends and helps DFS determine which brands/styles of cigarettes should be prioritized for testing.
If you have any questions about reporting fires, please contact Derryl Dion, Research Analyst and MFIRS Manager at (978) 567-3382 or Derryl.Dion@state.ma.us. This checklist is in addition to and not a replacement for the fire department's mandatory reporting of fires via the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS).