European Commission prolongs ban on certain cigarette lighters

April 4, 2011

The European Commission has decided to prolong the validity of Decision 2006/502/EC concerning the prohibition and sale of certain cigarette lighters until 11 May 2012.

The Commission’s decision of 21 March 2011 requires Member States to take measures to:

• Ensure that only lighters which are child-resistant are placed on the market and
• Prohibit the placing on the market of novelty lighters

All importers /distributors/retailers of cigarette lighters must ensure that:

• Low cost non refillable lighters are child resistant, and that
• All novelty or child appealing lighters are prohibited from being placed on the Irish market.

The NCA also reminds manufacturers, distributors and other operators that under the General Product Safety Regulations there is an onus on them to only place safe products on the market. As a result, if they become aware that a product already placed on the market is hazardous, appropriate action must be taken to protect the safety of consumers.

The NCA has responsibility for implementing the Commission’s decision in Ireland.  The NCA is empowered to issue a direction to any operator found not to be complying with the Commission’s decision.

Any person who fails to comply with such a direction may be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 and/or imprisonment for three months.

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