City cites fire risk in ban on butane lighters that create continuous flames
The sale of butane lighters that can be locked on to produce a continuous flame has been banned from sale in Vancouver.
City council voted Wednesday to remove them from shelves starting June 28, and any retailer violating the ban will be subject to a $1,000 fine.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services pushed for the ban to cut down on structure fires, serious injuries and deaths from the lighters' misuse.
In the past 15 months, the lighters have been to blame for a surge in serious incidents across the city, said fire Chief Karen Fry.
“Our firefighters have seen far too many fires, deaths and injuries at the hands of these devices,” Fry said in a news release Wednesday. “Restricting the sale of these lockable butane lighters is a significant step in reducing harm to vulnerable groups, risks to firefighters and the loss of valuable housing.”
According to the 2023 VFRS annual report, smoking and smoker materials were the leading cause of fires in Vancouver, accounting for 59 per cent. That's an increase of about a third from a year earlier.
Between January 2023 and last month, 3,128 fires have been attributed to careless use of lockable butane lighters with 356 of those in the city's single-room occupancy rooming houses. The devices were considered the probable cause of 79 fire-related injuries and six deaths.
On top of the lighter ban, VFRS says it will keep working with SRO operators and staff to educate residents about the risks of open flames and safety training.
The city plans to work with the provincial and federal governments to develop regulations for safer continuous flame butane lighters.
The ban applies to any lighter fuelled by butane that can be locked to create a continuous flame, which renders them susceptible to misuse, especially when the user is impaired.
“Users are exposed to further danger when refilling as spilled lighter fluid can easily ignite and spread to clothing,” according to the VFRS.