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• Official: 'Fire-safe' smokes can cut deaths  

Iowa's fire marshal has pinned his hopes on cigarettes to reverse an unexpected jump in the number of statewide fire deaths.

State lawmakers last year mandated the sale of new cigarettes that are less likely to cause fires when discarded, dropped or left near combustible material. The law takes effect next month.

"We are hoping this is going to reduce the number of fatalities," Fire Marshal James Kenkel said.

Ten people were killed this year in Iowa by fires blamed on careless smoking, double the number from 2007. The overall number of fire deaths stands at 48, which is 18 more than last year.

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