Self-extinguishing cigarettes should be introduced in Scotland, according to the Scottish National Party.

Stewart Maxwell, a list MSP for the West of Scotland, has tabled a motion urging the Scottish Parliament to follow Canada's lead over the move.

Canada is aiming to force tobacco firms to make cigarettes extinguish before they set fire to furniture.

But a Scottish Executive spokeswoman said parliament did not have the power to pass such legislation.

Mr Maxwell said Scotland had one of the worst fire-death rates in Europe and needed "to address this terrible statistic".

He said: "The introduction of fire-safe cigarettes in Scotland is one of the simplest measures that we could take to dramatically cut the number of fire fatalities.

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