Discussion Paper Summary

May 1998

Disposable Cigarette Lighter Safety - Ministerial Investigation into the Need for a Product Safety Standard

The Minister of Consumer Affairs has a role under the Fair Trading Act 1986 to protect consumers from goods that will or may cause injury to any person. Many issues have arisen relating to the safety of children using consumer products and this discussion document examines options for addressing the safety of disposable cigarette lighters. In particular, the discussion document considers the need for the declaration of a Product Safety Standard as a means of ensuring the safety of disposable cigarette lighters.

This document has been issued to encourage consumers, traders and other interested parties to consider the issues relating to the safety of disposable cigarette lighters and put forward their views. This will enable the Minister of Consumer Affairs to receive sound advice on all the issues relating to disposable cigarette lighters, having taken into account the views of those who are substantially affected.

The document focuses on disposable cigarette lighters only. It does not attempt to address the issue of the safety of refillable cigarette lighters. This is because refillable lighters are generally significantly more expensive and far less likely to be misplaced or forgetfully left within reach of young children. Refillable lighters may also be less superficially attractive to children, and some require two distinct actions to light.

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