A European Commission decision to require lower ignition propensity (LIP) cigarette paper in the European Union will take effect from 17 November.

Implementation comes after the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) developed LIP standards to be incorporated into the General Product Safety Directive.
EU member Finland has required LIP since April, 2010. The EU standard requires insertion of thicker paper at two points along the cigarette. Other countries with LIP standards include Australia, Canada and the United States. (pi)