In cigarettes RIP is about life

Cigarettes sold in Malta will from tomorrow have to comply with new EU rules aimed at protecting smokers and non-smokers from accidental fires.

Cigarettes placed on the EU market have to include reduced ignition propensity (RIP) technology – a special kind of paper that self-extinguishes when a cigarette is left unattended – in line with legislation passed by the EU three years ago.

Over the past years, cigarette paper manufacturers have modified their production method to include two rings of thicker paper at two points along the cigarette. If the cigarette is left unattended, the burning tobacco will hit one of the rings and should then self-extinguish because the ring restricts the air or oxygen supply.

Such cigarettes cut down the burning time and reduces the chance of accidental fires to furniture, bedding or other material.

Although many manufacturers have already switched to this type of technology, the EU is making it mandatory for all cigarettes sold in its territory.

Fires from unspent cigarettes are estimated to amount to about 30,000 every year in the EU leading to about 1,000 deaths and 4,000 injuries.

Civil Protection Department sources said that fires caused by unspent cigarettes were common, particularly in houses.

In the EU, only Finland has laws banning non-RIP cigarettes. The US, Canada and Australia allow only RIP cigarettes.

According to the European Commission, Finland’s experience has shown that the number of victims of cigarette-ignited fires fell by 43 per cent in the country since the compulsory introduction of RIP cigarettes.