AN MEP for Warrington is calling for the introduction of fire safe' cigarettes.

Arlene McCarthy, Labour's chairman of the consumer protection committee, launched a written declaration asking for the introduction of self-extinguishing cigarettes to help prevent 1,000 deaths and 13m euros worth of damage.

The North West MEP led the motion in the European Parliament on Monday.

She said: "There is no such thing as a safe cigarette. Of course not smoking would make for the most effective fire prevention but we have to face up to the reality that some people will always continue to smoke.

"The public smoking ban which came into force in the UK on July 1 may even result in an even greater risk if more people resort to smoking at home.

"Reduced ignition propensity (RIP) cigarettes are far safer than cigarettes currently sold in Europe.

"They would be a realistic, effective and low cost way to reduce fires and fire related deaths in Europe."

The cigarettes are based on a design that reduces the cigarette's propensity to burn, but makes no difference to its taste.

Arlene added: "Every week cigarettes cause 250 fires in European homes. This initiative is about protecting consumers and fire fighters from horrifying injuries or possibly death from smoking related fires.

"Fire safe cigarettes have been introduced in other parts of the world so why not Europe!"