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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: In 2011, the lower ignition propensity (LIP) standard for cigarettes was implemented in the European Union. Evidence about the impact of that safety measure is scarce.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to examine the effects of the LIP standard on fire safety in Estonia.
METHODS: The absolute level of smoking-related fire incidents and related deaths was modelled using dynamic time-series regression analysis. The data about house fire incidents for the 2007-2013 period were obtained from the Estonian Rescue Board.
RESULTS: Implementation of the LIP standard has reduced the monthly level of smoking-related fires by 6.2 (p<0.01, SE=1.95) incidents and by 26% (p<0.01, SE=9%) when estimated on the log scale. Slightly weaker evidence was found about the fatality reduction effects of the LIP regulation. All results were confirmed through counterfactual models for non-smoking-related fire incidents and deaths.
CONCLUSIONS: This paper indicates that implementation of the LIP cigarettes standard has improved fire safety in Estonia.
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Language: en |