Kidsafe Victoria has backed an interim ban by Consumer Affairs Victoria on novelty lighters, saying it should be immediately introduced nationally in all states to prevent serious injury.   

Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said the appearance of the lighters once again showed we should be tightening up on importers of inappropriate products.

?We strongly support The Victorian Government placed an interim ban order on the supply of novelty lighters on Tuesday, 1 September 2009, as they pose a potential risk of serious injury. Novelty lighters are particularly attractive to children and can be easily mistaken for a toy.?

The ban prohibits the supply of novelty lighters, which are cigarette lighters designed with a toy-like appearance that could be appealing, attractive, or intended for use by young children.

Novelty lighters come in a variety of forms including animals, cartoon characters, cars and mobile phones.

These products are readily available from service stations and the internet.

?We are urging parents to ensure they do not make these novelty lighters available to children of any age, as they can become a deadly item involved in the starting of house fires,? Dr Stokes said.