Cigarette Lighters

A number of children have died in fires caused by playing with lighters, so the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has used its power to introduce safety requirements that lighters must meet.

Disposable lighters (and cheap refillable ones) must be child resistant. This means only that they are harder to use, not that a child cannot use them.

Always keep all cigarette lighters and matches out of the reach of children.

Safety checklist

• Throw away your old lighters that are not child-resistant.
• Pass the word to friends and family.
• Do not buy inexpensive lighters that are not child-resistant.
• Remember that child-resistant lighters are safer – but they are not child proof!
• Never let your child play with cigarette lighters (or matches).
• Do not ask your child to fetch your lighter for you.
• Do not give your child a lighter to chew on or play with.

More information

The Commerce Commission enforces the Cigarette Lighters Product Safety Standard. You can contact them at:

Phone: 0800 943 600
Email: contact@comcom.govt.nz
Address: PO Box 2351, Wellington

PDF of publication/Ordering publication

The Cigarette Lighters factsheet is now available online in PDF format (78 KBs). Instructions for obtaining the Adobe Acrobat viewer.

The printed factsheet can also be ordered using our online Publications Form.