No more novelty lighters in the Bay State

[Bateluer]

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/novelty-lighters-banned-in-ma

Seems retarded, but I can see the logic in it. If state voters approve the measure, its their state to do as they wish. Until they do something the Fed doesn't like anyway. Still, I haven't seen a novelty lighter that could be mistaken for a toy after picking it up. Are these things sold in stores that cater to children young enough not to know the difference?

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Novelty cigarette lighters are now banned in Massachusetts.

Lighters that look like guns, pens, lobster claws and other objects can no longer be sold in the Bay State.

There is concern that the lighters are attractive to children because they look like toys.

“Those types of lighters, along with candy cigarettes and things like that are not a good idea. I think it's a good law in a case like that when they're making things look like toys, when they are a lighter,” said Dennis Leger of the Springfield Fire Department.

Officials say that children using matches and lighters started 158 fires in the state last year; causing nearly one million dollars in damage.

The law takes effect this November.

 

[cubby1223]

It's still retarded beyond belief. Okay, children started 158 fires in the state last year. How many of those 158 fires were caused by a child's attraction to a novelty lighter? - Where if novelty lighters had been banned that fire would not have been started? I'd be surprised if even one was.

 

[cubby1223]

But, welcome to the progressive nanny state. I love you government, you are always looking out for my best interest!

 

[ShawnD1]

It's still retarded beyond belief. Okay, children started 158 fires in the state last year. How many of those 158 fires were caused by a child's attraction to a novelty lighter? - Where if novelty lighters had been banned that fire would not have been started? I'd be surprised if even one was.

This. As a kid I played with matches. I knew they were matches. I played with them because fire is really interesting. Fire is the toy.

I still love fire. Here's what I do ever year even though I have a small camping microwave as well as a portable electric stove (and a diesel generator).

(this is not a picture of me or anyone I know)

 

[cubby1223]

Quick google search says there are ~1.5 million children in Massachusetts. Let's assume it was one child per 158 fires, just for the sake of assumptions. That means:

At minimum 99.99% of children are not influenced at all to cause mayhem by novelty lighters.

I don't know, this is just sad we have allowed our government to enact regulations based on "Well, there *might* be reason here though we really don't have a clue, but we're politicians who need to get re-elected and to be safe we'll err on the side of caution." Fun.

 

[dmcowen674]

It's still retarded beyond belief. Okay, children started 158 fires in the state last year. How many of those 158 fires were caused by a child's attraction to a novelty lighter? - Where if novelty lighters had been banned that fire would not have been started? I'd be surprised if even one was.

This is because the idiots really believe they have to pass as many laws as they can to justify their existence.

 

[CPA]

I loved candy cigarettes when I was kid. Interestingly, I have never smoked a real cigarette in my life and can't even stand the sight of them.

 

[dfuze]

This is because the idiots really believe they have to pass as many laws as they can to justify their existence.

I agree with this.

I would like to see in a year or two how many fires are prevented because of their great lawmaking skills.

 

[dfuze]

I loved candy cigarettes when I was kid. Interestingly, I have never smoked a real cigarette in my life and can't even stand the sight of them.

I remember those but don't think I ever even had those and I never smoked either. My sister smoked for a few years quitting recently, but she used to pretend pretzel sticks were cigarettes.

 

[Double Trouble]

But, think of the children!!

Typical nanny-state government stupidity.

 

[MotF Bane]

Ah, so that's why the radio people were saying yesterday morning that "if children really want to light something on fire, they'll light something on fire".

 

[GoPackGo]

Parents need to blame something or someone else for their failings...

"Blame Canada"

 

[EagleKeeper]

It's still retarded beyond belief. Okay, children started 158 fires in the state last year. How many of those 158 fires were caused by a child's attraction to a novelty lighter? - Where if novelty lighters had been banned that fire would not have been started? I'd be surprised if even one was.

158 fires started.

How many were with gas stoves, matches, bic lighters or flip lid lighters, magnifying glass, or car lighters?

 

[OutHouse]

people are stupid. no law will ever change that.

 

[OutHouse]

here is concern that the lighters are attractive to children because they look like toys.

see that is what is fucked about this law. there is a "concern". No facts, no research, no due diligence and honestly no fucking responsibility at all by the morons who wrote the bill or the retards who voted for it.

 

[feralkid]

But, welcome to the progressive nanny state. I love you government, you are always looking out for my best interest!

Thank you!

I'd gotten to the 2nd post and no one had yet screamed "Nanny State".

 

[GoPackGo]

How many kids get hurt each year by:

A. Falling off their bike?
B. Falling off playground equipment?
C. Slamming their fingers in a door?
D. Putting their finger in an electrical outlet?
E. Banging their head into a table?

Better start passing some more laws!!!!!

 

[dainthomas]

see that is what is fucked about this law. there is a "concern". No facts, no research, no due diligence and honestly no fucking responsibility at all by the morons who wrote the bill or the retards who voted for it.

Having something that starts fires and looks like a fun toy to the average two year old seems like a fairly poor idea on the face of it. Why is a study needed? Do we need a study to know that selling antifreeze in juice bottle shaped containers with colorful cartoon character all over them is a bad idea?

Outrage not found.

 

[GoPackGo]

Having something that starts fires and looks like a fun toy to the average two year old seems like a fairly poor idea on the face of it. Why is a study needed? Do we need a study to know that selling antifreeze in juice bottle shaped containers with colorful cartoon character all over them is a bad idea?

Outrage not found.

So adults aren't allowed to have "novelty items"

Oh thats right...its all "for the children"

Let Natural Selection take its course.

 

[dainthomas]

So adults aren't allowed to have "novelty items"

Oh thats right...its all "for the children"

Let Natural Selection take its course.

Having an incendiary device shaped like Buzz Lightyear seems to really be tempting "natural selection" though. If you're an adult who want a Buzz Lightyear, go buy one. But why does he have to start fires?

I'm all for personal responsibility, and I'm not one to cry "OMG the children!", but you really need to consider how your actions affect others. Is it REALLY worth it?

 

[GoPackGo]

Having an incendiary device shaped like Buzz Lightyear seems to really be tempting "natural selection" though. If you're an adult who want a Buzz Lightyear, go buy one. But why does he have to start fires?

I'm all for personal responsibility, and I'm not one to cry "OMG the children!", but you really need to consider how your actions affect others. Is it REALLY worth it?

So where does the banning end?

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

So where does the banning end?

It doesn't.

 

[dainthomas]

So where does the banning end?

Slippery slope argument, ftl.

 

[Cutterhead]

How many kids get hurt each year by:

A. Falling off their bike?
B. Falling off playground equipment?
C. Slamming their fingers in a door?
D. Putting their finger in an electrical outlet?
E. Banging their head into a table?

Better start passing some more laws!!!!!

Stop giving them more ideas. Seriously.

 

[BoberFett]

Having an incendiary device shaped like Buzz Lightyear seems to really be tempting "natural selection" though. If you're an adult who want a Buzz Lightyear, go buy one. But why does he have to start fires?

I'm all for personal responsibility, and I'm not one to cry "OMG the children!", but you really need to consider how your actions affect others. Is it REALLY worth it?

Please link the Buzz Lightyear lighter that will be banned due to this law.