Victoria’s fire services are issuing a strong warning about the serious risks of smoking indoors, as it remains the leading cause of fatal house fires across the state.
According to Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), half of the state’s 18 fatal fires in 2024 were caused by discarded cigarettes and smoking materials, such as lighters, matches or open flames.
Smoking in bed is the leading cause of smoking-related fire deaths, as falling asleep with a lit cigarette in hand can easily set fire to soft materials such as bed linen.
In addition to the fire fatality figures, more than 10 per cent of residential structure fires that FRV responded to between May 2024 and March 2025 were caused by smoking materials.
FRV deputy commissioner of community safety Joshua Fischer said the statistics show the danger of cigarettes.
“The numbers don’t lie – cigarettes are dangerous when misused or used while drowsy, and must be handled with extreme caution,” he said.
“If you notice burn marks on a friend or family member’s carpet, furniture, clothing, or nightwear, speak up, let them know the dangers and encourage them to take action.”
Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief fire officer Jason Heffernan said smoking while affected by alcohol, drugs or medication can also increase the risk of fire.
“All it takes is a small ember from a cigarette to ignite a fire and you could be facing a life-changing event that puts yourself and others in harm’s way,” he said.
There are, however, some steps that can be taken to decrease the risk of smoking-related fires.
Smoking outdoors, having working smoke alarms in every room, not smoking in bed or while intoxicated, and using heavy, high-sided, non-combustible ashtrays to dispose of cigarette butts are a few precautions recommended by FRV.
Never leaving lit cigarettes unattended, and keeping matches and lighters out of the reach of children are also important safety measures.
