Bill pushes fire-safe cigarettes

County firefighter and state lawmaker Bob Costa says he'll never forget the man with the wooden leg.

The man fell asleep in bed with a cigarette, starting a fire that engulfed his bedroom. While he managed to hobble to safety, firefighters later found the singed leg next to the bed.

It was one of numerous fires caused by careless smoking that Mr. Costa, R-Deale, has witnessed in his 20-year career with the county Fire Department. It's also one example, he said, that lends credence to a bill recently introduced by Del. Brian Moe, D-Laurel.

The bill would require all cigarettes sold in Maryland to be "fire safe," meaning...