I write to you in regard to the “fire-safe cigarette” legislation that has been implemented in Kentucky. The Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes crusaded to get legislations passed across the states because they did not want them tied up in Congress awaiting a national standard.

The world knows that cigarettes cause horrible consequences to smokers health, I am not disputing that; however, something in these FSC’s is making smokers sick in multitudes. An online petition to Repeal Fire Safe Cigarettes http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/repeal-fire-safe-cigarette-laws currently has 1,313 signatures from smokers who are experiencing sore throat, excessive coughing, tightness in chest, headaches, and nausea. These symptoms developed immediately after FSC’s appeared on the shelves in their states. Smokers also report an increase in burns from falling embers from these alleged fire-safe cigarettes.

It is common knowledge second hand smoke is hazardous; therefore, if smokers are experiencing these symptoms with the benefit of an attached filter, non smokers will not be completely exempt from these ill effects. This has the capacity to effect every human that is exposed to it.

I feel that when presented with SB 134 on March 9, 2007 lawmakers were made to believe that FSC’s would have no ill effects on smokers. Now in reality, smokers are experiencing immediate side effects from this legislation. If you are a smoker and experiencing any ill side effects, I urge you to sign the petition online, or contact your state representatives and let your voice be heard.