Discount cigarettes Self-extinguishing cigarettes introduced in New York
June 29, 2004 - 8:05AM
Cigarettes in New York, the most expensive in the United States, now have another characteristic to set them apart - the ability to put themselves out.
Under a new law that came into effect today, all cigarettes sold in New York state must be of "low-ignition strength," making them less likely to cause fires if left unattended.
The long-delayed legislation Discount cigarettes - the first of its kind in the nation - was opposed by tobacco manufacturers who wanted a uniform federal law, rather than being forced to produce special cigarettes for just one state at considerable expense.
The low-ignition cigarettes are wrapped in ultra-thin Discount cigarettes banded paper that inhibits burning but makes no difference in terms of toxicity. Left unattended, the cigarettes normally self-extinguish before burning down their entire length.
Brendan McCormick, a spokesman for Philip Morris USA which began shipping Discount cigarettes the new cigarettes to New York state two weeks ago, said implementing the product change had cost the company millions of dollars.
"We continue to believe that the best way forward would have been a uniform federal law," McCormick said.
Cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal Discount cigarettes residential fires in the United States and claim about 1,000 lives every year, as well as seriously injuring about 3,000 people.
Tobacco producers such as Philip Morris have argued that the Discount cigarettes special cigarettes may have less of an impact in New York, where many smokers already circumvent the state's high tax regime by buying out-of-state cigarettes, often on the Internet.
"Obviously, those cigarettes are not subject to the legislation, so the ability to evaluate whether the new regulation has an impact in safety terms will be hindered," McCormick said.
But Peter Constantakes, spokesman for the New York Department of State Discount cigarettes, insisted that the new law was an important safety measure.
"Will people be able to buy cigarettes other places and bring them in? Discount cigarettes Right now, they will Discount cigarettes," Constantakes acknowledged.
"But we think this idea will spread and then external purchases will come to an end," he said. "In the meantime Discount cigarettes, a majority of products on the street will be safer than before."
New York store owners can be fined up to 1,000 dollars for selling discount cigarettes that flout the new low-ignition standard.
