Tobacco firms are to be forced to introduce “self-extinguishing” cigarettes that could prevent the deaths of more than 100 people in fires each year.
The cigarettes, which have a varying thickness of paper surrounding the tobacco, extinguish themselves after a few seconds if they are not puffed.
Ministers believe the move could save scores of lives and hundreds of serious injuries. An average of 4,200 house fires annually are caused by cigarettes, killing about 120 people and injuring about 1,400, according to government figures.
Tobacco firms are lobbying against the new cigarettes, claiming they taste different and may lull smokers into a false sense of security.
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