Press Release: EU bans sale of non-child resistant and novelty cigarette lighters

On 11 March the Commission Decision banning the sale of non-child resistant and novelty lighters to consumers entered into force. The decision was adopted by EU Member States represented within the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) Committee on 13 February 2007. The Decision enhanced consumer safety by requiring that, as of 11 March, cigarette lighters that are dangerous to children can no longer be sold to European consumers. Placing on the market and importing such lighters was already forbidden since 11 March 2007, giving the industry a year in which to sell off their stocks. Moreover, the Decision required Governments to ensure that common cigarette lighters placed on the EU market are child-resistant. It also forbids the placing on the market of lighters which resemble objects that are particularly attractive to children (also called 'novelty lighters').