El Paso fire officials say just last year two out of three fire deaths were caused by careless smokers.
Now a new state law could keep things safer in the lone star state. The state law requires distributors and retailers to start selling the fire-safe Cigarettes. It went into effect yesterday but there are plenty of smokers and even retailers who had no idea. Saul Johnson sells Cigarettes everyday but didn't realize the old fast burning Cigarettes will soon be illegal in Texas.
The new Cigarettes actually turn off by themselves. Technology in the paper described as speed bumps will actually self-extinguish if the smoker fails to inhale from the cigarette after a few seconds. The question now is will the technology affect smokers and the Cigarettes they're used to. "I've had customers buy other brands of Cigarettes if we happen not to carry the one that they want and they're like 'you know what, I didn't like that. The taste was terrible' or 'I just really didn't enjoy it" said Johnson.
Fire officials say cigarette-ignited fires are the leading cause of residential fire deaths. In fact, 20 other states have fire-safe cigarette laws. Most people we spoke to are willing to accept the change given that the goal is to prevent igniting clothing, bedding or other material. "That's a great idea. It's going to save a lot problems and help out a lot of people, especially heavy smokers" said Gilbert Izquierdo.
The law gives distributors and retailers until 2010 to sell off their old inventory. Officials will begin inspecting convenience stores next year to make sure all Cigarettes sold are fire safe.