State lawmakers are considering banning the sale of novelty lighters.State Fire Marshal Wayne goodwin is leading the charge to get toy-like lighters off store shelves.

The cigarette lighters are shaped like toy cell phones, cartoon characters, even a knock-off of that famous fish Nemo.

Goodwin is concerned children will burn themselves with the lighters found in convenience stores, tobacco shops, hardware stores, even some dollar stores.

“Folks may say, what’s the big deal? They are novelty lighters. Well they are toy lighters. We’ve demonstrated time and again these lighters can cause serious injuries,” said Goodwin.

Senator Austin Allran, (R – Catawba County) sponsored the bill in the Senate which passed 46-to-2.

Senator David Hoyle, (D -Gaston County) questioned if we need a ban. He said adults need to take responsibility.

Now the House is considering the measure.

North Carolina could soon join at least four other states; Maine, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oregon in prohibiting the sale of the novelty lighters.

Last month, Goodwin said a child playing with a novelty lighter started a fire at a Jamestown, NC convenience store.

“Thankfully no one was hurt, but I’m concerned that if this bill is not made law, someone will get hurt next time,” said Goodwin.

The United States Fiore Adminstration reports more than 30 percent of the fires that kill children are set by children playing with lighters or matches.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Wayne Goodwin Friday urged House lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 652, Prohibit Sale of Novelty Lighters. The bill was passed by the Senate on Thursday.

“Last night’s fire at a Jamestown store appears to have been set by a child playing with one of these dangerous lighters disguised as a toy,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “Thankfully no one was hurt, but I’m concerned that, if this bill is not made law, someone will get hurt next time.”

Four states have already banned the sale of these lighters and 16 others are considering similar measures. The National Association of State Fire Marshals supports a ban on the sale and use of these toy-like lighters.

These lighters are often sold where children shop with their parents, places like gas stations, convenience and hardware stores and are easily mistaken for toys. Many have lights, visual effects and sound and resemble toys or characters familiar to children such as Gumby, a rubber ducky or “Nemo.”

More than 70 million of these lighters are imported to the United States each year. The European Union banned the sale of toy-like lighters as of March 2007. As a result, more of these lighters will be redirected to the U.S.

RALEIGH, N.C.  – The state Senate wants cigarette lighters shaped like cell phones, cartoon characters and toy rifles to be snuffed out in North Carolina.

Senators voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ban the retail sale and distribution of novelty lighters.

The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Austin Allran of Catawba County, said young people have been burned by playing with lighters that look like toys. A state task force looking to reduce child deaths wants the change.

Task force chairman Tom Vitaglione says four states have banned such lighter sales and 16 other states are considering bans. Sen. David Hoyle of Gaston County voted against the bill, which now goes to the House. Hoyle questioned if the bill was necessary and whether adults should bear some responsibility.