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09 September 2001

 

Cigarette Causes Disastrous Fire?

 

This could have been the headline on at least 3 occasions last week. Many people and animals died in a fire in the Kruger Park, there were horrendous losses after a blaze in Newcastle, KZN, and a magistrates court burned down in Tshwane (Pretoria).

 

"We mourn the loss of life and regret the destruction of property by whatever cause" said Peter Ucko, acting director of the National Council Against Smoking. "Bear in mind though that fire authorities' statistics show that 7% of all fires are caused by discarded smoking materials".

 

Fires in squatter camps with babies and young children dying are reported regularly. These are often blamed on candles. Thousands of acres of fynbos in the Cape are destroyed by fires. Homes are destroyed and factories gutted with jobs lost.

 

"One shudders to think that any of these could have been started by a cigarette butt flicked carelessly aside" added Ucko. "Whether it's a resident, a factory worker or motorist is irrelevant. The tragedies are real and preventable. Every possible step to reduce the incidents of fires must have value".

 

The laws which control smoking in public places, work places, clubs and other areas will surely not only raise awareness of the risks of smoking and protect people from second hand smoke but inevitably one hopes reduce the number of fires and the frightening consequences of fires. If this awareness prevents just one fire and saves one life then the law is again proved to have value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"My uncle hid in a closet to smoke in our house. The clothes caught on fire and our house burned down." - Ben, age 11