# Title 18 — Fires

## Chapter 18-13 — Ignition Propensity for Cigarettes

### § 18-13-01. Definitions.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Agent" means any person authorized by the insurance commissioner to purchase or
sell packages of cigarettes.
2. "Cigarette" means any roll for smoking made wholly or in part of tobacco and encased
in any material except tobacco.
3. "Manufacturer" means:
a. Any person that manufactures or otherwise produces cigarettes or causes
cigarettes to be manufactured or produced which the person intends to be sold in
this state, including cigarettes intended to be sold in the United States through an
importer;
b. The first purchaser that intends to resell in the United States cigarettes
manufactured that the original manufacturer or maker does not intend to be sold
in the United States; or
c. Any person that becomes a successor of a person described in subdivision a
or b.
4. "Quality control and quality assurance program" means the laboratory procedures
implemented to ensure that operator bias, systematic and nonsystematic
methodological errors, and equipment-related problems do not affect the results of the
testing and to ensure that the testing repeatability remains within the required
repeatability values stated in subdivision f of subsection 1 of section 18-13-02 for all
test trials used to certify cigarettes in accordance with this chapter.
5. "Repeatability" means the range of values within which the repeat results of cigarette
test trials from a single laboratory will fall ninety-five percent of the time.
6. "Retail dealer" means any person, other than a manufacturer or wholesale dealer,
engaged in selling cigarettes or tobacco products.
7. "Sale" means any transfer of title or possession or both, exchange or barter,
conditional or otherwise, in any manner or by any means or any agreement to do the
same. The term includes the giving of cigarettes as samples, prizes, or gifts, and the
exchanging of cigarettes for any consideration other than money.
8. "Sell" means to sell or to offer or agree to sell.
9. "Wholesale dealer" means any person that sells cigarettes or tobacco products to
retail dealers or other persons for purposes of resale, and any person that owns,
operates, or maintains a cigarette or tobacco product vending machine in, at, or upon
premises owned or occupied by any other person.
### § 18-13-02. Test method and performance standard - Penalty.

(Contingent expiration
date - See note)
1. Except as provided in subsection 7, a cigarette may not be sold or offered for sale in
this state or offered for sale or sold to persons located in this state unless the cigarette
has been tested in accordance with the test method and meets the performance
standard specified in this section, a written certification has been filed by the
manufacturer with the state fire marshal in accordance with section 18-13-03, and the
cigarette has been marked in accordance with section 18-13-04.
a. Testing of cigarettes must be conducted in accordance with the American society
of testing and materials standard E2187-04, "standard test method for measuring
the ignition strength of cigarettes".
b. Testing must be conducted on ten layers of filter paper.
c. No more than twenty-five percent of the cigarettes tested in a test trial in
accordance with this section may exhibit full-length burns. Forty replicate tests
must comprise a complete test trial for each cigarette tested.
d. The performance standard required by this section must be applied only to a
complete test trial.

e. Written certifications must be based upon testing conducted by a laboratory that
has been accredited pursuant to standard ISO/IEC 17025 of the international
organization for standardization, or other comparable accreditation standard
required by the state fire marshal.
f. A laboratory conducting testing in accordance with this section shall implement a
quality control and quality assurance program that includes a procedure that will
determine the repeatability of the testing results. The repeatability value may not
be greater than nineteen hundredths.
g. This section does not require additional testing if cigarettes are tested consistent
with this chapter for any other purpose.
h. Testing performed or sponsored by the state fire marshal to determine a
cigarette's compliance with the performance standard required must be
conducted in accordance with this section.
2. Each cigarette listed in a certification submitted pursuant to section 18-13-03 which
uses lowered permeability bands in the cigarette paper to achieve compliance with the
performance standard set forth in this section must have at least two nominally
identical bands on the paper surrounding the tobacco column. At least one complete
band must be located at least fifteen millimeters from the lighting end of the cigarette.
For cigarettes on which the bands are positioned by design, at least two bands must
be located at least fifteen millimeters from the lighting end and ten millimeters from the
filter end of the tobacco column, or ten millimeters from the labeled end of the tobacco
column for nonfiltered cigarettes.
3. A manufacturer of a cigarette that the state fire marshal determines cannot be tested in
accordance with the test method prescribed in subdivision a of subsection 1 shall
propose a test method and performance standard for the cigarette to the state fire
marshal. Upon approval of the proposed test method and a determination by the state
fire marshal that the performance standard proposed by the manufacturer is equivalent
to the performance standard prescribed in subdivision c of subsection 1, the
manufacturer may employ the test method and performance standard to certify the
cigarette pursuant to section 18-13-03. If the state fire marshal determines that
another state has enacted reduced cigarette ignition propensity standards that include
a test method and performance standard that are the same as those contained in this
chapter, and the state fire marshal finds that the officials responsible for implementing
those requirements have approved the proposed alternative test method and
performance standard for a particular cigarette proposed by a manufacturer as
meeting the fire safety standards of that state's law or regulation under a legal
provision comparable to this section, the state fire marshal shall authorize that
manufacturer to employ the alternative test method and performance standard to
certify that cigarette for sale in this state unless the state fire marshal demonstrates a
reasonable basis why the alternative test should not be accepted under this chapter.
All other applicable requirements of this section apply to the manufacturer.
4. Each manufacturer shall maintain copies of the reports of all tests conducted on all
cigarettes offered for sale for a period of three years, and shall make copies of these
reports available to the state fire marshal and the insurance commissioner upon
written request. Any manufacturer who fails to make copies of these reports available
within sixty days of receiving a written request is subject to a civil penalty not to
exceed ten thousand dollars for each day after the sixtieth day that the manufacturer
does not make those copies available.
5. The state fire marshal may adopt a subsequent American society of testing and
materials standard test method for measuring the ignition strength of cigarettes upon a
finding that the subsequent method does not result in a change in the percentage of
full-length burns exhibited by any tested cigarette when compared to the percentage of
full-length burns the same cigarette would exhibit when tested in accordance with
American society of testing and materials standard E2187-04 and the performance
standard in subdivision c of subsection 1.

6. The state fire marshal shall review the effectiveness of this section and report each
interim to the legislative management the state fire marshal's findings and any
recommendation for legislation to improve the effectiveness of this chapter.
7. The requirements of subsection 1 may not prohibit:
a. Wholesale or retail dealers from selling their existing inventory of cigarettes after
July 31, 2010, if the wholesale or retail dealers can establish that the inventory
was purchased before August 1, 2010, in comparable quantity to the inventory
purchased during the same period of the prior year; or
b. The sale of cigarettes solely for the purpose of consumer testing. For purposes of
this subsection, "consumer testing" means an assessment of cigarettes which is
conducted by a manufacturer, or under the control and direction of a
manufacturer, for the purpose of evaluating consumer acceptance of those
cigarettes, utilizing only the quantity of cigarettes which is reasonably necessary
for the assessment.
8. This chapter must be interpreted and construed to effectuate its general purpose to
make uniform this chapter with the laws of those states that have enacted reduced
cigarette ignition propensity laws as of the date this chapter is enacted.
### § 18-13-03. Certification and product change.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
1. Each manufacturer shall submit to the state fire marshal a written certification attesting
that each cigarette listed in the certification has been tested in accordance with section
set forth in subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 18-13-02.
2. Each cigarette listed in the certification must be described with the following
information:
a. Brand or trade name on the package;
b. Style, such as light or ultra light;
c. Length in millimeters;
d. Circumference in millimeters;
e. Flavor, such as menthol or chocolate, if applicable;
f. Filter or nonfilter;
g. Package description, such as soft pack or box;
h. Marking approved in accordance with section 18-13-04;
i. The name, address, and telephone number of the laboratory, if different than the
manufacturer that conducted the test; and
j. The date that the testing occurred.
3. The certifications must be made available to the insurance commissioner for purposes
consistent with this chapter and the state tax commissioner for the purposes of
ensuring compliance with this section.
4. Each cigarette certified under this section must be recertified every three years.
5. The state fire marshal shall establish an annual fee to defray the actual costs of the
processing, testing, enforcement, and oversight activities required by this chapter. All
fees collected must be deposited in the insurance regulatory trust fund.
6. If a manufacturer has certified a cigarette under this section and makes any change to
the cigarette which is likely to alter its compliance with the reduced cigarette ignition
propensity standards required by this chapter, that cigarette may not be sold or offered
for sale in this state until the manufacturer retests the cigarette in accordance with the
testing standards set forth in section 18-13-02 and maintains records of that retesting
as required by section 18-13-02. Any altered cigarette that does not meet the
performance standards set forth in section 18-13-02 may not be sold in this state.
### § 18-13-04. Marking of cigarette packaging.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
1. Cigarettes that are certified by a manufacturer in accordance with section 18-13-03
must be marked to indicate compliance with the requirements of section 18-13-02. The
marking must be in eight-point type or larger and consist of:

a. Modification of the product uniform product code to include a visible mark printed
at or around the area of the uniform product code which may consist of
alphanumeric or symbolic characters permanently stamped, engraved,
embossed, or printed in conjunction with the uniform product code;
b. Any visible combination of alphanumeric or symbolic characters permanently
stamped, engraved, or embossed upon the cigarette package or cellophane
wrap; or
c. Printed, stamped, engraved, or embossed text that indicates that the cigarettes
meet the standards of this chapter.
2. A manufacturer may use only one marking and shall apply this marking uniformly for
all packages, including packs, cartons, and cases, and brands marked by that
manufacturer.
3. The state fire marshal must be notified as to the marking that is selected.
4. Before the certification of any cigarette, a manufacturer shall present its proposed
marking to the state fire marshal for approval. Upon receipt of the request, the state
fire marshal shall approve or disapprove the marking offered, except that the state fire
marshal shall approve any marking in use and approved for sale in New York pursuant
to the New York fire safety standards for cigarettes. Proposed markings are deemed
approved if the state fire marshal fails to act within ten business days of receiving a
request for approval.
5. A manufacturer may not modify its approved marking unless the modification has been
approved by the state fire marshal in accordance with this section.
6. A manufacturer certifying cigarettes in accordance with section 18-13-03 shall provide
a copy of the certifications to every wholesale dealer and agent to which the
manufacturer sells cigarettes, and shall provide sufficient copies of an illustration of the
package marking utilized by the manufacturer under this section for each retail dealer
to which the wholesale dealer or agent sells cigarettes. A wholesale dealer and agent
shall provide a copy of these package markings received from the manufacturer to all
retail dealers to which they sell cigarettes. Wholesale dealers, agents, and retail
dealers shall permit the state fire marshal, the tax commissioner, the insurance
commissioner, and their employees to inspect markings of cigarette packaging marked
under this section.
### § 18-13-05. Penalties.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
1. A manufacturer, wholesale dealer, agent, or any other person that knowingly sells or
offers to sell cigarettes, other than through retail sale, in violation of section 18-13-02,
for a first offense is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars for
each sale of cigarettes, and for a subsequent offense is subject to a civil penalty not to
exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for each sale, but the penalty against any person
may not exceed one hundred thousand dollars during any thirty-day period.
2. A retail dealer that knowingly sells cigarettes in violation of section 18-13-02:
a. For a first offense is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars,
and for a subsequent offense is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two
thousand dollars, for each sale or offer for sale of cigarettes if the total number of
cigarettes sold or offered for sale in the sale does not exceed one thousand
cigarettes; or
b. For a first offense is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars,
and for a subsequent offense is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five
thousand dollars for each sale or offer for sale of such cigarettes if the total
number of cigarettes sold or offered for sale in the sale exceeds one thousand
cigarettes, provided that this penalty may not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars
during a thirty-day period.
3. In addition to any penalty prescribed by law, any manufacturer that knowingly makes a
false certification pursuant to section 18-13-03 is subject to a civil penalty of at least
seventy-five thousand dollars, but not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars for
each false certification.

4. Any person violating any other provision in this chapter is subject to a civil penalty for a
first offense not to exceed one thousand dollars, and for a subsequent offense to a civil
penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars for each violation.
5. If any law enforcement personnel or duly authorized representative of the state fire
marshal discovers any cigarettes for which no certification has been filed as required
by section 18-13-03, or which have not been marked as required by section 18-13-04,
that personnel or representative may seize and take possession of the cigarettes.
Cigarettes seized under this subsection must be destroyed; provided, however, that
before the destruction of the cigarettes, the true holder of the trademark rights in the
cigarette brand is permitted to inspect the cigarette.
6. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the state fire marshal or insurance
commissioner may file an action in district court for a violation of this chapter, including
petitioning for:
a. Preliminary or permanent injunctive relief against any manufacturer, importer,
wholesale dealer, retail dealer, agent, or any other person to enjoin the person
from selling or offering to sell any cigarette that does not comply with the
requirements of this chapter; or
b. To recover any costs or damages suffered by the state because of a violation of
this chapter, including enforcement costs relating to the specific violation and
attorney's fees.
7. Each violation of this chapter or of rules adopted to implement this chapter constitutes
a separate civil violation for which the state fire marshal or insurance commissioner
may obtain relief.
### § 18-13-06. Implementation.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
1. The state fire marshal may adopt rules to implement this chapter.
2. The state tax commissioner in the regular course of conducting inspections of
wholesale dealers, agents, and retail dealers, as authorized under chapter 57-36, may
inspect such cigarettes to determine if the cigarettes are marked as required by
section 18-13-04. If the cigarettes are not marked as required, the state tax
commissioner shall notify the state fire marshal.
### § 18-13-07. Inspection.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
The insurance commissioner and the state fire marshal may examine the books, papers,
invoices, and other records of any person in possession, control, or occupancy of any premises
where cigarettes are placed, stored, sold, or offered for sale, as well as the stock of cigarettes
on the premises. Every person in the possession, control, or occupancy of any premises where
cigarettes are placed, sold, or offered for sale shall give the insurance commissioner and the
state fire marshal the means, facilities, and opportunity for the examinations authorized by this
section.
### § 18-13-08. Fire prevention and public safety fund.

Repealed by S.L. 2025, ch. 210, § 3.
### § 18-13-09. Sale outside of North Dakota.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
This chapter does not prohibit any person from manufacturing or selling cigarettes that do
not meet the requirements of section 18-13-02 if the cigarettes are or will be stamped for sale in
another state or are packaged for sale outside the United States and that person has taken
reasonable steps to ensure that the cigarettes will not be sold or offered for sale to persons
located in this state.
### § 18-13-10. Local regulation.

(Contingent expiration date - See note)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, home rule charter, or ordinance made under a
home rule charter, a political subdivision may not enact or enforce any ordinance or regulation

conflicting with any provision of this chapter or with any policy of this state expressed by this
chapter.
