Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes Special Fund

Governor Abercrombie today signed into law House Bill 605 which establishes a special fund for the "Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarette" program. This advancement will allow the State Fire Council to move forward with the administration and staffing of the program. Reduced ignition propensity cigarettes are essentially fire-safe cigarettes that are rolled with a low-ignition paper and more easily go out on their own if left untended. The legislation to establish the program passed in 2008.

“This legislation now provides our county firefighters additional resources to fight fires, protect our families and property at no additional cost to the people of Hawaii,” said Rep. Ryan Yamane who introduced the bill this year, as well as the legislation passed in 2008. “I truly believe that these measures will not only save lives, but protect our homes and our ‘aina from the devastation of wildfire.”

The bill was one of several signed into law today related to fire safety.

“Governor Neil Abercrombie signed three legislative bills that passed the 2011 session into law on July 5, 2011 that have a significant impact on the fire and emergency services in Hawaii," said Chair of the State Fire Council and Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva. "The first two measures will enable the Hawaii State Fire Council (SFC) the ability to hire personnel to administer state mandated programs including adoption of the State Fire Code and the Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarette Program (RIPC). The third bill protects fire fighters and water safety officers from assault during the line of duty."

Learn more about the legislation on RIPC:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/lists/getstatus2.asp?billno=HB2438

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=605

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