The bill pertains to the Massachusetts Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette (FSC) Law, which was enacted to reduce the incidence of accidental fires caused by careless disposal of cigarettes. The law mandates that all cigarettes sold in Massachusetts must be manufactured with specific safety features, including at least two bands of less-permeable material in the cigarette paper that promote self-extinguishing when not actively smoked. Since the law's implementation in 2008, there has been a significant decrease in residential cigarette fires, civilian deaths, and injuries, particularly those originating from bedding and upholstered furniture. The report highlights that the average number of such fires has dropped from 70 per year before the law to 26 per year after its enactment, demonstrating the law's effectiveness in enhancing fire safety.

The Department of Fire Services (DFS) conducts rigorous testing to ensure compliance with the FSC law, with high passing rates for ignition tests and band placement measurements. The program is funded through certification fees collected from manufacturers, and despite a projected decline in revenue due to the ban on menthol-flavored tobacco products, the DFS anticipates maintaining a comprehensive testing program. The report also notes that while indoor cigarette fires have decreased, outdoor fires have increased, likely due to public health efforts reducing indoor smoking. Overall, the FSC law continues to positively impact public safety by preventing unnecessary loss of life and property.