The advent of new year brings in changes in the laws for sale of cigarettes. Lawmakers are making it mandatory for the stores to sell only slow-burning and fire-safe cigarettes. The law would be implemented in 5 states. By 2009 about 32 states will come under the law scanner.

The law was first proposed by the federal legislation in 1974. It has taken more than 30 years for the law to be implemented and that too after lot of amendments. The last time it was rejected was in the year 2006 with opposition from the tobacco industry. Since then, strategy changes have been implemented in the law.

According to the statistics of the U.S. Fire Administration, almost 1,000 smokers and non-smokers per year meet their death due to fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking products. It is expected that the numbers would be reduced to a half if the new law is implemented.

However, critics argue that the fire-safe brands taste different. The cigarette can extinguish before a smoker actually finishes the enjoyment of puffing the cigarette.

The fire safety is achieved by making the paper thicker at two separate spots. The cigarette goes out if not puffed when they burn to these areas. The logic behind the new design is to prevent fires caused when cigarettes are left smoldering.