Maryland to get self-snuffing cigarettes

BALTIMORE, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Cigarette maker Philip Morris USA has voluntarily agreed to sell self-extinguishing cigarettes in Maryland three months before state law requires it.

The company said the newer varieties will go on sale April 1, although a new state law made it mandatory for July 1, the Baltimore Sun reported.

The law was passed as a way to reduce the number of fires caused by unattended cigarettes, In Baltimore, the deaths of 16 people this year were linked to fires caused by cigarettes, the newspaper said.

Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein praised Philip Morris for the accelerated response.

"It's quite possible that by implementing this sooner we are going to save lives," Sharfstein told the Sun. "We've very interested to see whether the other companies will match Philip Morris' commitment."