12 more states have joined the ranks of those that have adopted low ignition propensity (LIP) cigarette laws.  Virtually every state now has a LIP law with the exception of the state of Wyoming. The newest states to adopt the LIP law are Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

AWMA has lobbied on behalf of a national LIP law to ensure that all states have uniform low ignition laws.  Low ignition propensity cigarette laws will go into effect in Mississippi, Ohio and South Dakota this Friday, January 8, 2010.

Under the new so-called “fire safe” cigarette laws, a cigarette must burn out 75 percent of the time when not in active use.  The product utilizes small, thin bands of paper on the white part of the cigarette and acts as a sort of “speed bump” slowing down the burning rate.