rip cigarettes reduced ignition propensity cigarettes – an introduction meeting of the gpsd...
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RIP cigarettes
Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes – An Introduction
Meeting of the GPSD Committee15 November 2006, Brussels
J. Vogelgesang, SANCO.B.3
RIP cigarettes
The issue
Burning cigarettes may cause fires when left carelessly unattended1,000 fatalities every year in the EU as an estimated minimum1
Victims are also non-smokers including children and fire-fighters
1 The ASPECT Consortium. Tobacco or Health in the
European Union. Past, present and future. European Commission, 2004.
RIP cigarettes
What is a RIP cigarette?
A RIP cigarette … normally stops burning when left unattendedis NOT a fire-”safe” cigarettemay contribute to reducing the estimated 1,000 annual fatalities from cigarette fires in the EU
RIP cigarettes
How to achieve RIP?
Ultra-thin concentric bands (« speed bumps ») in the cigarette paper
restrict oxygen access to the burning end of the cigaretteare 6 mm wide and spaced by 20 to 30 mm approximately
« Speed bump » production technology is indeed available.No chemical additives necessary
RIP cigarettes
How to test RIP?
1. Cigarette extinction testTests the cigarette’s capacity to go out/prevent a fire.Burning cigarette is placed on 10 layers of standard filter paper: Does it burn through the full length?Out of 40 test cigarettes, 10 may burn through.
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How to test RIP? (cont’d)
Extinction test standardised in US standard ASTM E2187-04Used in all legislations where RIP cigarettes are or will be required:
USA:New York, Vermont in force. California, Illinois, New Hampshire, Massachussetts: In force as of 1 January 2008 at the latest
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How to test RIP? (cont’d)
Canada: RIP requirement in force since 1 October 2005Australia: In preparation. Public consultation on ASTM standard closed on 6 October 2006.
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How to test RIP? (cont’d)
2. Mock-up ignition testTests the cigarette’s capacity to ignite a fire.Burning cigarette placed on a simulated piece of furniture: Does it ignite a fire/lead to smouldering?
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How to test RIP? (cont’d)
Mock-up test very delicate: Provides results, but difficult to carry out in a standardised wayNo standard simulated furniture availableReal-world furniture fabrics change all the time: A realistic simulated furniture would require adaptation all the time.
RIP cigarettes
Situation in the Member States and Norway
Information transmitted to SANCO in late 2005 and in 2006Cigarette-related fires registered in some Member States only - no data from several large Member StatesDetailed fire cause not always entirely clear: Cigarette left alone or cigarette stub thrown away?
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Situation in the Member States ... (cont’d)
Per year
Figures cover the years ... Fires Deaths Injured Material damage, mio €
CZ 2003 - 2004 1.036 19 43 1,30
DK 2004 - 2005 42
EL 1999 - 2004 2.089
EE 2004 251 64 42
HU 1998 - 2004 587
LV 2004 - 2006 650 80 53 0,24
LT 2002 - 2004 1.079 102
NL 2001 - 2005 461 5 50 4,34
PT 2004 8 8
SK 2001 - 2005 15 13 0,33
SI 2000 - 2004 128
FI Averages provided. 700 30 3,00
SE 2000 - 2004 32
UK 2003 4.200 125 1.400
Norway 2004 - 2005 57 9 3,95
In the above countries 11.246 523 1.609 13,16
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Impact of a RIP requirement in 14 MSs and NorwayBased on Health Canada approach
Baseline scenario1, 2
: Annually ...11,000 fires520 deaths and 1,600 injuries€13 million material damage
1 14 MSs: CZ, DK, EL, EE, HU, LV, LT, NL, PT, SK, SI, FI, SE, UK
2 Health Canada approach:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/pubs/tobac-tabac/rias-reir/index_e.html#description
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Reduction of firesScenario 1: 68% reduction of fires, etc., to take into account that furniture may ignite more easily than ASTM test indicates (75%) Scenario 2: 34% reduction of fires, etc., to account of easily ignitable fabrics, paper in paper in bins, air flows, etc.
Impact of a RIP requirement for 14 MSs and Norway (cont’d)Based on Health Canada approach
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Benefits through RIP cigarettesScenario 1 (68% reduction): Prevention of ...
7,500 fires350 fatalities and 1,100 injuries€9 million damage
Scenario 2 (34% reduction)
Impact of a RIP requirement for 14 MSs and Norway (cont’d)Based on Health Canada approach
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Tentative extrapolation to 25 MSs and Norway
Baseline scenario: Annually ...38,000 fires1,900 deaths and 7,000 injuries
€ 140 million damage
Scenario 1 (68% reduction): Prevention of ...
26,000 fires1,300 deaths and 4,700 injuries
€ 93 million damage
Scenario 2 (34% reduction)
Impact of a RIP requirement for 14 MSs and Norway (cont’d)Based on Health Canada approach
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Economic impactIf compliance cost entirely absorbed by cigarette manufacturers: Reduction of operating profits by 2.9 – 5.9%If costs entirely on prices: Price increase of cigarettes of 0.2 – 0.4%With price elasticity of demand of -0.4
Price increase of cigarettes of 0.08 – 0.16%Reduction of manufacturers’ operating profits by 0.08 – 0.16%
Impact Assessment for 14 MSs and Norway (cont’d)Based on Health Canada approach
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Common arguments against RIP
The ASTM cigarette extinction test is not a real-world test, but the mock-up test is.Comments:
Good correlation between extinction and mock-up tests;Extinction test reproducible over 8 years;Mock-up test very delicate to carry out according to in-depth evaluation during 10 years ;No standard materials for mock-up test available;Furniture market and fabrics changing permanently: Standard to be adapted regularly?
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New York fire statistics show no effect of RIP requirement.Comments:
Preliminary reduction of 30%. To be observed further.
Common arguments against RIP (cont’d)
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Common arguments against RIP (cont’d)
No information available on changes in smokers’ behaviour.Comments:
Comparison of cigarette sales in NY State before and after RIP requirement: No change.Comparison of cigarette sales in NY State with sales in surrounding States, before and after RIP requirement: No change.
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Longer term health implications of RIP cigarettes unknown.Comments:
2005 study: A few toxic smoke compounds increased by less than 20 %. No effect on the already high toxicity of cigarette smoke.
Common arguments against RIP (cont’d)
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Consumers could mistakenly consider RIP cigarettes as being fire-’safe’.Comments:
Consumer information and education necessary, as for any new product.
Common arguments against RIP (cont’d)
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‘Coal drop-off’ from RIP cigarettes has lead to court action.Comments:
‘Coal drop-off’ may burn small holes in fine cloth, but hazard negligible compared to a burning cigarette.
Common arguments against RIP (cont’d)
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RIP cigarette paper is not available in sufficient quantities and costs 5 to 10 times the price of conventional paperComments:
Industry: RIP paper available in sufficient quantities in the EU-25 in 3 to 5 yearsCanada RIA: Price increase of less than 0.2% expected
Common arguments against RIP (cont’d)
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A RIP requirement for the EU?
Is action necessary at EU level?To mandate a standard on RIP cigarettes?
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Thank you for your attention.