Calls for 'safer' cigarettes

Cigarettes burn at up to 700C

Safety campaigners are calling for measures to force British tobacco firms to make "slow burning" cigarettes.

The demands coincide with a government fire safety campaign which warns of the dangers of careless smoking.

It is part of the government's ongoing initiative to encourage smokers to kick the habit and reduce fire-related death and injuries in the home.

A smouldering cigarette is the biggest cause of fatal fires

Fire Safety Minister Alan Whitehead

Cigarettes caused 4,000 house fires in the UK last year, 136 people died and nearly 2,000 were injured.

BBC consumer affairs reporter Karen Bowerman says some safety campaigners want the government to do more to force UK firms to make slow burning cigarettes - now on sale in the United States.

The cigarettes have fire resistant paper which reduces the rate at which they burn.

This means they are more likely to go out if left to smoulder.

But our correspondent says critics of the tobacco industry claim firms would be reluctant to make the slower burning cigarettes because it could reduce sales.

Check it's out

The government safety campaign focuses on smokers in their homes.

Fire Safety Minister Alan Whitehead hopes people will be extra vigilant after seeing the "Put it out. Right Out" television and radio campaign.

"We know these fires are more likely to start during the night and that some of the most common places for them to start are sofas, beds and carpets," he said.

"Cigarettes burn at up to 700C, so make sure when you put it out, it really is out. That final check could save you and your family's life."

Among the recommendations to smokers from the government campaign are not smoking in bed and fitting fire alarms.

Firefighter Gary Walker backs the campaign, adding that the tragedies he encounters while on duty never get any easier to deal with.

Give it up

"You never get used to it, particularly if there are children involved.

"When you see the damage that one tiny cigarette butt can do, it's shocking.

"I've seen so many homes and lives ruined."

Anthony Roberts, British Burns Association, said: "What we should do is have fire safe cigarettes available and make them the only cigarette that is available.

"This would have the greatest single effect on reducing fire deaths of anything that is possible to be done."

British American Tobacco, the UK's biggest cigarette manufacturer, said it had no plans to introduce slow burning cigarettes unless it were proven beyond doubt that the cigarette would self-extinguish.

The campaign comes ahead of No Smoking Day on 13 March, which has the backing of organisations such as Cancer Research UK.

No Smoking Day Chief Executive Doreen McIntyre said: "It's really important for smokers to plan ahead and get the support they need.

"That's why we organise No Smoking Day in March every year, to help people name a day and get ready to stop together."

"There are now about 12 million successful ex-smokers in the UK - half a million of them stopped with No Smoking Day."