Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

12-2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Political Science

Major Professor

David H. Folz

Committee Members

David J. Houston, Patricia F. Freeland, David J. Icove

Abstract

Smoking material fires are the leading cause of residential fire deaths and the third leading cause of residential fire injuries. Cigarettes are the primary source of ignition in smoking material fires. Several policies and regulations have attempted to mitigate the risks associated with smoking cigarettes. This study specifically examines the impact of the states’ fire standard compliant legislation as it relates to smokingrelated residential civilian fire deaths, civilian fire injuries, and fire incidents. To test the impact of the states’ FSC policy, panel data for all 50 states from 2005 through 2012 are analyzed using a feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) model. The results indicate that the states’ FSC policy led to fewer smoking related fire deaths and smoking related fire incidents. The findings from this study indicate that the FSC policy was an effective strategy by the states that helped significantly to reduce both home fire deaths and the damage and destruction that attend smoking related fire incidents.

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