Philippe Boucher's Rendez-vous with . . . Bradley Dakake
Rendez-vous with . . . Bradley Dakake
Consumer Associate, MASSPIRG
Author of the report "Where there is smoking, there is fire"
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
dakake@masspirg.org
By Philippe Boucher
Rendez-vous 118
Wednesday, November 28 2001
PB : Thank you Brad for accepting our rendez-vous.
May I ask you to introduce yourself ?
BD: I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2001 and began work as the Consumer Associate for the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) in August of that same year. One part of the Consumer Program's platform is to ensure product safety. Cars have seatbelts and airbags, toys are manufactured so they do not pose choking hazards to children; cigarettes should meet basic fire safety standards just like any other product.
Q1. What prompted you and Masspirg to pick up the issue of self-extinguishing cigarettes and where are you in the regulatory process in Massachusetts?
BD: MASSPIRG chose to work on this bill for several reasons. First, it is a good piece of legislation that will save hundreds of lives and millions of dollars in the Commonwealth. Over the last 11 years in Massachusetts, almost 15,000 cigarette-started fires have killed 195 people, injured 844 civilians and 738 firefighters, and destroyed $85 million in property. Second, the Moakley Bill, (named after the late US Rep. Joseph Moakley who championed this fight on the national level) Senate Bill 1916 has already passed the State Senate and is now stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee. We felt that the bill had a good chance of moving because it already enjoyed strong support in the Senate and did not require additional funds, a key point in the fiscally-strapped economy.
Q2. What (if any) are the arguments of the industry to resist such a regulation? Are the firefighters supporting the bill?
BD: Some in the industry suggest that less incendiary, or self-extinguishing, cigarettes would be more toxic to smoke (imagine, a cigarette company concerned over the health of their smokers!) This is completely unfounded. Self-extinguishing cigarettes are no more toxic than a normal cigarette. Firefighters are now, and always have been in support of this bill. Cigarettes have always been the leading cause of fatal household fires. In 2000, one-third of all fatal houehold fires began with a cigarette. Now, more than ever, our firefighters should not have to spend their time fighting fires that are easily preventable.
Q3. New York passed a fire safe bill in 2000 (set to go into effect in 2003), Massachusetts is trying to pass one. What about other states? Do you foresee other state pirgs groups picking up the issue? What about the federal level? What happened to the bill sponsored by the late Joseph Moakley?
BD: I have heard of other states such as California and Illinois that have expressed interest in similar legislation. US Rep. Edward Markey (D. MA) has expressed interest in continuing Joseph Moakley's battle on the federal level. I would love to see other State PIRGs work on this issue when it becomes possible to do so. Eventually, I see self-extinguishing cigarettes being ubiquitous.
Q4. Have you ever heard about a lawsuit filed by fire victims or the insurance companies or else against the cigarette manufacturers? Don't you think such litigation could help? When there is a cigarette induced fire do the investigators ever find out and mention the brand? Would you have data about that? (ie would certain brands cause more fires than others?)
BD: I have never heard of such a lawsuit, nor have I ever heard mention of the particular brand of cigarette that started the fire. There are already several brands that use this less incendiary technology. Merit, Eve Lights, More, Virginia Slims, and Capri market cigarettes that are self-extinguishing. It seems only logical that since several brands already do so, all cigarettes should be required to meet basic fire safety standards to protect the safety of all.
Q5. What is the position of the health voluntary organizations on this issue?
BD: We have been working closely with the Anti-Tobacco Caucus and the health organizations associated with that group. In fact, lead House sponsor of the Moakley Bill, Rep. Rachel Kaprielian is also the chair of the Tobacco Caucus.
Q6. Is there anything else you would like to add?
BD: My complete report, "Where There's Smoking, There's Fire" can be found on our website at www.masspirg.org/reports.
PB: Thank you Brad for taking the time to be with us today.
Rendez-vous is supported by a contract from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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