Smoking materials fire deaths in the U.S. have dropped to the lowest level in 30 years, according to the NFPA.
According to a recent report, 610 civilian deaths were attributed to smoking material fires in 2010.
The number is well down from the 1980 levels. During 2010, there were an estimated 90,800 smoking material fires resulting in $663 million in property damage.
The report cites several factors, including a decline in smoking and stricter fire resistant standards on mattresses and upholstered furniture with much of the decline over the last 30 years.
The most recent drops though, have been attributed heavily to recent "fire-safe" cigarette legislation.
2012 was the first year all 50 state laws are effective, and all inventories of pre-standard cigarettes should have sold out.
"NFPA is very encouraged by these numbers, which show the requirements are having the intended consequences," NFPA spokeswoman Lorraine Carli said in a statement. "It is clear that our efforts have already made an impact on public safety and will continue to provide further progress in the years to come."
