HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/05/27 Item 3
i\\O~
ORDINANCE NO. ~.V:O<(
~~~
Ai'.J ORDINANCE OF THE CITY ~TLA VISTA
AMENDING TITLE 9 OF ~~"'cHuiA VISTA
MUNICIPAL CODE ~'{.~ING CHAPTER 9.23,
SECTIONS 9.23.010 THROUGH 9.23.060 TO
PROHIBIT THE SALE Al^,TI/OR DISTRIBUTION OF
NOVELTY LIGHTERS
WHEREAS, novelty lighters have features which are attractive to children, including visual
effects, flashing lights, musical sounds, or toy like designs; and
WHEREAS, these toy like designs may not be immediately recognized by children as
dangerous cigarette lighters; and
WHEREAS, such novelty lighters resembling harmless toys are highly attractive to children
and pose an unreasonable risk of injury or death in the possession of inquisitive children; al1d
WHEREAS, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled thousands of novelty
lighters since 1996 due to their danger to public safety; and
WHEREAS, juvenile fire setting has been identified as the fastest growing fire threat in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 the National Fire Protection Association reported that children playing
with fire started an estimated 13,900 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments,
causing an estimated 210 civilian deaths, 1,250 civilian injuries and $339 million in direct property
damage; and
WHEREAS, the Chula Vista Fire Department responded to a multi-family structure fire on
October 03, 2007, which started as a result of children playing with a lighter causing $40,000 in
property damage; and
WHEREAS, more than half of the people killed by fires started by children playing were
under five years of age; and
WHEREAS, many public and private agencies support the prohibition of the sale and
distribution of novelty lighters, including the Bum Institute and several County Fire Chiefs'
Associations, Cities, and the Greater San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, the function of a novelty lighter can be achieved without posing a danger of
public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the United States Fire Administration has added a new code to the National Fire
Incident Reporting System, effective January 1,2008, to address issues of concern to the fire service:
3-1
Ordinance No.
novelty lighters will now be captured in the Fire Module under a new code for Equipment Involved
in Ignition, code 877.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby ordain as
follows:
SECTION I: That the Chula Vista Municipal Code be amended to add Chapter 9.23,
Sections 9.23.010 through 9.23.060 to read as follows:
Chapter 9.23
RETA1L SALE .c\J.'\fD DISTRIBUTION OF NOVELTY LIGHTERS
Sections:
9.23.010
9.23.020
9.23.030
9.23.040
9.23.050
9.23.060
Purpose and intent.
Definition.
Prohibition.
Exceptions.
Enforcement.
Violations and penalties.
9.23.010
Purpose and intent.
The City Council finds and declares that:
A. Novelty lighters have features, which are attractive to children, including visual effects,
flashing lights, musical sounds, or toy-like designs.
B. As a result of this attraction of novelty lighters to children, children have used novelty
lighters to start fires, causing injury, death, and destruction of property.
C. Despite the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall of thousands of novelty
lighters since 1996 due to their danger to public safety, fires caused by children playing
with novelty lighters continue to occur at an increasing rate.
D. Juvenile fire setting has been identified as the fastest growing fire threat in the United
States.
E. The continued sale, offer for sale, gift, distribution, or display of novelty lighters
represents a serious threat to public safety within the city of Chula Vista.
F. The functions of novelty lighters can be achieved through the sale, gift, distribution, or
display of other products that do not pose the danger to public health and safety that
novelty lighters present.
9.23.020 Definition. For purposes of this Chapter, "novelty lighter" means a lighter that has
audio or visual effects, or that depicts or resembles in physical form or function, through the use of
Page 2 of3
;;;;, "
",--,; -.....L-
Ordinance No.
logos, decals, art work, or other features, articles commonly recognized as appealing to or intended
for use by children under eighteen years of age. This includes, but is not limited to, lighters that
depict. or resemble cartoon characters, toys, guns, watches, musical instruments, vehicles, toy
animals, food or beverages; that play musical notes; that have flashing lights; that offer other
entertaining features; or that have the physical appearance of other specific objects in form or
function. A novelty lighter may operate on any fuel, including butane or liquid fuel. The term
"novelty lighter" excludes: (1) any lighter manufactured prior to 1980; and (2) any lighter which
lacks fuel or a device necessary to produce combustion or a flame.
9.23.030 Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person, business, corporation, or organization to
sell, otTer for sale, give, distribute, or display with intent to sell, give, or distribute any novelty lighter
in the city of Chula Vista.
9.23.040 Exceptions. The prohibition of this Chapter is inapplicable to: (1) novelty
lighters that are solely being actively transported through the city for sale, gift, or distribution
outside of the city, with written documentation of such transportation; or (2) novelty lighters
located in a distribution center closed to the public for purposes of retail sales or distribution
outside the city ofChula Vista. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply where prohibited
or preempted by state or federal law.
9.23.050 Enforcement. The provisions of this Chapter shall be enforced by the fire marshal
and his or her designees, any police officer, any code enforcement officer, and any other city official
authorized to enforce any provision of this Code.
9.23.060 Violation and penalties. Violations of this Chapter may be prosecuted as
misdemeanors as provided by this Code. The City may also seek any administrative remedy and/or
injunctive relief and civil penalties in the Superior Court as provided by this Code and California
state law.
SECTION II: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty days
after its final passage.
Presented by
Approved as to form by
James S. Geering
Interim Fire Chief
Page 3 of3
3-3