Nebraska Passes Novelty Lighters Child Safety Bill

Lawmakers have passed a bill that would require child-proof safety features on novelty lighters sold in Nebraska.

The measure won final approval on Friday with a 34-6 vote.

The final legislation was a compromise between supporters who view the lighters as dangerous and opponents who cast the proposal as an example of government overreach.

Firefighting groups say the lighters pose a safety threat for young children. Some of the lighters resemble animals, tractors and other items that could be mistaken as toys.

Sen. Les Seiler of Hastings says he introduced the bill in response to fires started by children with lighters in Nebraska.

Maine became the first state to ban novelty lighters in 2008.