Toy-like novelty cigarette lighters

An 18-month interim ban on the supply of toy-like novelty cigarette lighters in Australia came into effect on 30 December 2009. This ban was published in Special Gazette No. S223 of 30 December 2009.

Under the Trade Practices Act 1974, Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2009 declares that toy-like novelty cigarette lighters are unsafe goods.

• What are toy-like novelty lighters?
• Hazard
• Does this apply to your business?
• Complying with the ban
• Penalties and consequences
• Examples of toy-like lighters

What are toy-like novelty lighters?

Toy-like novelty cigarette lighters are designed to produce a flame that sets cigarettes or other combustible materials alight.

Children under five years old are likely to find these lighters appealing because they:

• look like stylised animals or cartoon characters
• are made in typical toy-like sizes and shapes
• are made in typical toy-like colours.

Hazard

• Children mistaking these lighters for toys and playing with them are at risk of suffering serious burns.

Does this apply to your business?

This ban applies to anyone in the business of supplying toy-like novelty cigarette lighters, including:

• manufacturers
• importers
• distributors
• retailers.

Complying with the ban

To understand how to comply with the ban, suppliers must read:

• Consumer Protection Notice No. 25 of 2009: Unsafe Goods Notice (PDF) (www.ag.gov.au).

If you are supplying these lighters you must immediately:

• cease supply in Australia
• dispose of all stock intended for the Australian market.

Penalties and consequences

Suppling toy-like novelty cigarette lighters can make you liable for heavy fines and product recalls.

Examples of toy-like lighters

These pictures show some examples of toy-like novelty lighters. This is not a definitive range—there are many more possible styles, shapes and colours.