Many smokers are willing to walk a mile for a Camel, but will they be willing to puff a little harder?
A new state law that took effect this week requires stores to sell cigarettes that are designed to go out if the smoker stops puffing.
Six states, including California, have adopted legislation requiring the self-snuffing smokes in an effort to prevent fires.
The National Fire Protection Association said that three out of four fires caused by cigarettes could be averted with the safer variety.
Authorities said cigarettes are the leading cause of home fire fatalities, killing more than 700 people each year. One in three of the victims is a child.
Regular cigaretes burn to the end. But a fire-safe cigarette stops within a minute after being puffed.
Robert Tuitavuki of the Stockton Fire Department said fires are often caused when people leave cigarettes unattended or fall asleep while smoking.
At some stores, owners have been hearing complaints from customers.
Sunil Sharma of Washington Market said he knows of one customer who stopped coming in because the cigarettes being sold are designed for safety.
Some smokers said they notice a difference in taste, but most said they would rather relight than quit smoking.
