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October 6, 2005

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento , CA 95814
FAX: 916-445-4633

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

I am writing on behalf of the members of Action on Smoking and Health – the nation's oldest antismoking organization - to urge you to sign AB 178, the California firesafe cigarette bill. This law would dramatically reduce the number of fire deaths caused by cigarettes at no cost to the state.

New York has had a nearly identical law on the books for over a year, and the resulting drop in fire deaths is staggering. Vermont and Canada will soon implement such laws as well.

There is no valid argument against the bill. It costs the state next to nothing. New York saw no drop in tax revenue, and the costs associated with drafting technical regulations have already been borne. Firesafe cigarettes require a technology that the tobacco industry has already developed, and is identical in all four jurisdictions where it will apply. The argument that it will cut into industry profits by reducing consumption is simply shameful.

It is equally shameful that the tobacco industry has chosen to make two types of each brand of cigarettes – one that saves lives for sale in New York , and another that puts people at needless risk for sale everywhere else. A firesafe requirement in California , with its huge market, may convince the tobacco industry that it makes little economic sense to continue producing cigarettes that are not firesafe.

Califonia has a well-deserved reputation for leading the way when it comes to health and safety. The rest of the country – indeed the world – will see your example, and your signature may save lives even beyond California 's borders. I urge you to sign the bill immediately.

Best Regards,

Chris Bostic
General Counsel