Public safety: lighters: standards: prohibition.

Senator Archuleta's lighter safety legislation would establish new prohibitions on the sale and distribution of counterfeit and unsafe lighters in California, requiring compliance with specific ASTM International standards and intellectual property protections. The measure builds upon existing state regulations for cigarette lighter safety by expanding requirements to cover all types of lighters, including those used for fireplaces, grills, and utilities.

Under the proposed law, lighters intended for cigars, cigarettes, or pipes must meet ASTM International standard F400, while those designed for fireplaces, grills, or utilities must comply with ASTM standard F2201. The bill defines counterfeit lighters as those infringing on intellectual property rights protected by federal or state law. Two exemptions allow for interstate transportation of non-compliant lighters and their storage in warehouses or distribution centers not open for retail sales.

The measure would affect manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who would need to verify their products meet the specified safety standards and do not violate intellectual property protections before selling them in California. While the bill creates new compliance requirements for the lighter industry, it requires no state appropriations and would be implemented through existing regulatory frameworks.