11 March 2007

Media Release  

Cigarette lighters to be child resistant

As from March 11th 2007 cigarette lighters imported into or 
manufactured in the UK will have to be child resistant. 
Novelty lighters will also be banned. The ban represents a 
major step forward in child safety and Trading Standards Services
in Scotland will be policing the market to ensure new lighters 
comply with the requirements. It is proposed that the restrictions
will apply to all sales to consumers as from March 11th 2008. 

All novelty lighters such as those looking like toys, animals 
or mobile phones are banned from manufacture or importation. 
All except some expensive lighters must be child resistant. 
The restrictions have been brought in following numerous 
incidents throughout the EU where young children have injured 
themselves and property destroyed by the misuse of cigarette 
lighters. 

It is estimated that throughout the EU there are 1200 fires, 
260 injuries and 20 deaths per year caused by under five-
year-olds playing with lighters and matches. David Thomson, 
Chairman of SCOTSS welcomed the change in the law: 
“Anyone who has experienced a child being burned as a result 
of playing with a cigarette lighter will welcome these 
restrictions. Remember that the restrictions will not come 
into force at retail level until next March, so in the 
meantime I urge parents to be vigilant and to make sure all 
cigarette lighters are kept out of the reach of children. 

Similar laws were introduced in the USA in 1995 that have 
resulted in a 60 percent decrease in deaths, injuries and 
damage to property.” 

In a project co-ordinated by the Society of Chief Officers 
of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), trading standards 
professionals throughout Scotland will be visiting importers, 
wholesalers and retailers. Over the next eighteen months they 
will ensure that businesses are aware of the new restrictions 
and the duty placed on them to retain documentation to prove 
that lighters are child resistant. Anyone who sells cigarette 
lighters can obtain advice from their local Trading Standards 
Service. Guidance is also available on line at

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/Safety/products/lighters/index.html
 
ENDS

Note to Editors

SCOTSS is the professional body which represents trading standards 
services in all 32 Scottish local authorities. It coordinates fair 
trading, safety and weights & measures issues across the country. 
As a section of the Trading Standards Institute its purpose is to 
promote excellence and enhance the professionalism of its members 
in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses 
and targeting rogue traders.

SCOTSS spokespeople are available for interview; please contact 
Angela Blair, SCOTSS Coordinator  for further details

For a full copy of the project parameters please contact:


Angela Blair SCOTSS Coordinator
43 Clouston Street
Glasgow G20 8QP
Tel: 0141 946 4257
Mob: 07769 715243

angela.blair@scotss.org.uk