IS YOUR LIGHTER LEGAL?

Each year in the UK over 220 injuries and five deaths occur when young children play with cigarette lighters*. To reduce these incidents, from March 2008 it will be illegal for retailers to sell a lighter that is not fitted with a child resistant mechanism. Luxury, semi luxury and utility lighters are not affected.

Child Resistant mechanisms are designed to make lighters much harder for children to operate and ultimately less dangerous. But how will you know if your lighter is child resistant and legal?

The good news is that the majority of Swan, Cricket and Poppell lighters in the market are already child resistant. Since 9 November 2007 all lighters delivered by Swedish Match have been child resistant. Swedish Match has been producing child resistant lighters globally since 1993 so you can be sure these lighters meets the regulatory standard.

Andrew Hardie from Swedish Match has this advice for consumers: “A Swan, Cricket or Poppell lighter is sold every 1.2 seconds in the UK**. However, there are still a number of inferior lighters still available on the market, so customers should always look out for the Child Resistant logo on trade packaging or the lighter when buying a new disposable or refillable lighter.

If you’re not sure, ask your retailer or see www.safetyfirstlighters.com.

“Child resistant devices are not a substitute for adult supervision as they are not 'child-proof', however they are a positive step in helping to prevent child fatalities, serious injuries and damage to property through fire.”

Swedish Match has also been commended by the British Fire Service for leading the way in Child Resistant lighters.

Ian Holt of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service comments: “Adequate supervision is the key to protecting children from the risks of fire however lighter design features will help reduce that risk. Swedish Matches safety-first approach in all of their product development is great news for parents, consumers and retailers alike.”

*Based on figures from the DTI (1999 - 2003).
** At current market share almost a quarter (24.3% market share MAT to Sept 07 source Nielsen RAL), of all lighters in the country will be Child Resistant.

For more information about the new legislation please call Swedish Match on 01494 556279 or visit www.safetyfirstlighters.com