The bill now goes to the Senate.
(SALEM) - The Oregon House of Representatives voted Thursday to unanimously approve House Bill 2163-A, which requires only fire-safe cigarettes to be sold in Oregon.
"This is a terrific step forward," said State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr.
"Members of the House Representatives have demonstrated they believe the time is now for Oregon to have fire-safer cigarettes. Passing this legislation is vital to saving the lives and property of Oregonians from cigarette-caused fires."
Representatives Patti Smith and Diane Rosenbaum carried the bill to the House floor after a unanimous ‘do pass' recommendation from the House Business and Labor Committee.
Representatives Smith and Rosenbaum also recognized the significant work of retired firefighters Tom Whelan and Tim Birr along with the Office of State Fire Marshal and members of the Oregon fire service in collaborating with the tobacco industry to develop a bill unifying previously different viewpoints.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
A committee hearing date has not been set.
If the bill becomes law, Oregon would join New York, Vermont, California, Illinois, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Canada in requiring the sale of only fire-safer cigarettes.
Oregon's Fire-Safer Cigarette Legislation Passes HouseSalem-News.com