Smokers are being warned to take extra p[recaustions this week because of the danger posed by extreme hot weather. The heat means conditions are much droer than usual and it would be easy to start a fire with a lit cigarette butt.
Dan Marchant, director at vaping retailer Vape Club, said: "Having had a prolonged period of hot weather, grass and plants can be extremely dry and will catch fire very easily. Dropping a lit cigarette butt can cause a fire in a matter of minutes or seconds if there is a strong breeze to fan the flames.
"We are strongly advising that anyone planning on smoking in these temperatures should never drop a cigarette butt on the ground. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they are also a danger to wildlife. You can buy what is known as a pocket ashtray for £2-4 online. They are basically fireproof pouches where you can store your cigarette butts safely until you get home. Alternatively, you can bring a small, half-filled bottle of water with you that you can drop your butts into when out and about. If FULLY extinguished you can put your cigarette butts in the bin, but you must be 100% sure they are completely out or you can just as easily start a fire in litter bins that are usually lined with black bin bags.
"The safest way to make sure your cigarettes are stubbed out completely is to soak them in water which will put out the embers, but also prevent the butt from reigniting. If stubbed out normally, you should wait 5 minutes and use a ‘feel test’ - is it cold? But to be safe, you should still douse it with water.
"Using a vaping device when temperatures are extremely high will reduce the risk of fires as vaping does not involve combustion - there is no fire, and there are no smouldering butts to dispose of. This makes it much easier to dispose of any used vapes. You can just pop them in your pocket or bag until you get home - they don't need to be extinguished first! If you're vaping instead during the intense heatwave, you should still dispose of any vaping waste responsibly. If you are using disposables, they must be taken to a battery recycling bin (commonly found at many supermarkets, recycling centres or even your local vape shop). DO NOT put them in a normal rubbish bin as the battery can also cause a fire if it gets damaged during collection or dumping in a landfill. If you are using a pre-filled pod device, please ensure you dispose of the pods correctly and do not drop them on the floor. They will not cause a fire but they will cause danger to wildlife. If you are using a refillable device, always dispose of empty e-liquid bottles correctly. Washing them out and recycling them is the best option".
"If you're planning on smoking, make sure you dispose of cigarette butts in a bin IF you are sure they are fully extinguished. The best way to be sure is to douse them in water first. NEVER put a cigarette butt in the bin if you are not certain it has been fully extinguished. If you cannot find a bin, then you should bring them home to dispose of them. The same as you should with any other waste and rubbish."
