Statement of the National Volunteer Fire Council Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg, Remarks on the Cigarette Safety Act of 2004

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN PHILIP C. STITTLEBURG, REMARKS ON THE CIGARETTE FIRE SAFETY ACT OF 2004 -- HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY (Extensions of Remarks - May 18, 2004)

HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following statement for the RECORD:

On behalf of the National Volunteer Fire Council and the more than 800,000 members of America's volunteer fire and emergency services, I would like to thank Representative Ed Markey (MA) and Peter King (NY) for their steadfast leadership and long-time commitment to the implementation of fire safety standards for cigarettes.

H.R. 4155 is bipartisan legislation which will set a reasonable ignition standard for cigarettes and help to prevent an estimated 800 deaths, 2,200 injuries and nearly $560 million dollars in damages caused by cigarette ignited fires every year. Cigarettes are the leading cause of fatal fires and children and firefighters themselves are at extremely high risk for burn and fire injuries from these fires. That is why this issue resonates so strongly for us and continues to be a priority of our organization.

As everyone is aware, both New York State and Canada have passed cigarette fire safety standards that are due to go into effect this summer. This legislation will require that the CPSC adopt the New York cigarette fire safety standard as the national standard.

On April 30, a 69-year-old Portland, Oregon woman died after a cigarette she was smoking in bed ignited a fire. On April 28, a 64- year-old Pensacola, Florida woman was killed in a house fire that was started by a lit cigarette. On April 27, a Kingsbury, New York man died in a fire at his home when he fell asleep while smoking. We need to pass this legislation immediately to put an end to the seemingly endless list of tragedies caused by cigarette-related fires.

I would like to again thank Representatives Markey and King and the bipartisan group of Members of Congress who are cosponsors of this bill for their leadership on this lifesaving piece of legislation. The volunteer fire service in America stands behind you and we stand ready to assist you in anyway possible to pass the Cigarette Fire Safety Act. Thank you.

END