HB 205 -- Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act

Sponsor:  Parson

This bill establishes the Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter
Protection Act which prohibits the sale of any cigarette in this
state that has not been tested, certified, and marked that it has
met certain performance standards.  Any manufacturer, wholesale
dealer, agent, or other person or entity who violates this
requirement other than through retail sale may be fined up to
$100 per pack of cigarettes sold or offered for sale.  No penalty
against a manufacturer, wholesale dealer, or agent can exceed
$100,000 during any 30-day period, and no penalty against a
retail dealer can exceed $25,000 during any 30-day period.  Any
corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited
partnership, or association engaged in the manufacture of
cigarettes that knowingly makes a false certification will be
subject to a penalty of between $75,000 and $250,000.

Performance standard tests will be conducted in accordance with
the Standard Test Method for Measuring the Ignition Strength of
Cigarettes of the American Society of Testing and Materials
unless the State Fire Marshal determines that it is impossible
for the cigarette manufacturer to use this test method.  The
Cigarette Fire Safety Standard and Firefighter Protection Act
Fund is created and will be administered by the State Fire
Marshal to support fire safety and prevention programs.

The bill becomes effective September 1, 2010.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am