In 2008, Maine became the first state to ban novelty lighters.
Today, there are 22 states in which novelty lighters are illegal, or where legislation to prevent their sale is pending.
These include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Alaska
- California
- Connecticut
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
Despite the movement’s growing support, novelty lighters are still legal in most states, and the issue has stalled altogether at the federal level. In 2009, Senator Ron Wyden, of Oregon, introduced legislation to ban the sale of novelty lighters throughout the country, but the bill has since expired.
Fire departments are encouraged to continue informing the public about the dangers of novelty lighters by emailing this 30-second public service announcement to your local television stations for airing.
