New Texas law calls for slow-burning, fire-safe cigarettes

All cigarettes sold in Texas must be slow-burning and fire-safe, according to a state law that went into effect New Year's Day. The law gives distributors and retailers until 2010 to sell off their old inventory. Smokers won't notice a difference in how the new cigarettes look, taste or cost, but a few minutes after they stop puffing on them, officials say the new smokes will self-extinguish. The fire-safe cigarettes are made with bands of less porous paper that burns more slowly. Although proponents say the technology behind such cigarettes saves lives by preventing fires, critics complain that the fire-safe brands can extinguish a cigarette before a smoker is done smoking it. How soon one's favorite brand is impacted by the new changes depends on the retailer. Distribution centers that serve 7-Eleven stores, for instance, have already converted to fire-safe cigarettes. But the Dallas-based chain of convenience stores will first sell off any remaining inventory, said Margaret Chabris, a 7-Eleven spokeswoman. Fire marshals will make inspections throughout the year to make sure distributors and wholesalers don't stock up on old cigarettes, officials said. They'll begin inspecting convenience stores next year to ensure all cigarettes sold are fire-safe, said Jerry Hagins, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Insurance, which oversees the state fire marshal's office. Texas is one of 21 states that have fire-safe cigarette laws.