Traditional tobacco state North Carolina has passed a law requiring tobacco firms to sell only "fire-safe" versions of their cigarettes by 2010, WITN-TV reported Aug. 24.

House Bill 1785, signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley, requires that self-extinguishing cigarettes be sold in the state. "Cigarettes are the leading cause of deaths from fires in North Carolina," said Easley. "By making the change to self-extinguishing cigarettes, it is estimated that as many as 50 fire-related deaths in our state could be prevented each year."

Companies that violate the law could be fined $100,000, while retailers could pay up to $25,000 in fines.