The impact of reduced ignition propensity cigarette regulation on smoking behaviour in a cohort of Ontario smokers

Inj Prev. 2010 Dec;16(6):420-2. doi: 10.1136/ip.2009.025114. Epub 2010 Jul 19.

Abstract

This study examined the degree to which legislation intended to reduce the incidence of cigarette-caused fires influenced the behaviours of a cohort of smokers in Ontario. A random digit dialled telephone survey of adult smokers residing in Ontario was conducted in 2005, ending 1 month prior to the reduced ignition propensity (RIP) regulation's implementation date. A follow-up survey was conducted one year later. Of the baseline participants, 73.0% (n=435) completed the follow-up survey. The frequency of fire risk behaviours was similar across both surveys. At baseline, only 3.7% of smokers interviewed reported that their cigarettes went out on their own 'often' while smoking. Following the implementation of the reduced ignition propensity legislation, this increased significantly to 14.7%. Results suggest that the proportion of Ontario smokers who reported engaging in behaviour such as leaving a cigarette burning unattended and smoking in bed actually declined, although these declines were not statistically significant across all measures of fire risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Accidents / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Accidents / psychology*
  • Accidents / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Fires / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Fires / prevention & control*
  • Fires / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Smoking / psychology*
  • Young Adult