Assembly approves bill that would outlaw novelty lighters

CARSON CITY — The sale of novelty lighters would be outlawed in Nevada under a bill approved 28-12 today in the state Assembly.

Members backed Assembly Bill 266 after Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, said a “no” vote would be a vote against the safety of children.

Oceguera, a North Las Vegas firefighter, said the lighters look like toys, but when used improperly can cause fires.

“I have burned myself” using them, he added.

But Assemblyman James Settelmeyer, R-Gardnerville, said he could think of no other product that is prohibited from being sold in stores in Nevada.

Protecting children from using toy-looking lighters is a matter of “parental responsibility,” he added.

“This is a nanny state issue, telling people what they can and cannot do,” Settelmeyer added.