The governor of Illinois has signed legislation that will require cigarettes sold there to be made with special paper designed to self-extinguish when they are not being smoked.

Advocates say the cigarettes will help prevent fires. Fires started by cigarettes reportedly are the number one cause of fire-related fatalities in the home.
But the law, which will take effect in 2008, will also complicate the operations of Winston-Salem-based Reynolds American and Greensboro-based Lorillard Tobacco Co, the nation's number two and number three cigarette makers, respectively. Both companies have said they oppose state-by-state regulations that mandate the special cigarettes. They say such cigarettes could induce a false sense of security and that more needs to be done to educate smokers about how to handle cigarettes safely. Nonetheless, the two companies will have to begin shipping the specially made cigarettes to Illinois dealers by the end of next year. Illinois joins New York, Vermont and California in requiring the cigarettes. Several other states are considering similar rules. (pi)