Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
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Prepared by: Abby Gorzlancyk, Staff Attorney April 8, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 271
[2023 Assembly Bill 917]
Sale of Counterfeit and Unsafe
Lighters
2023 Wisconsin Act 271 prohibits any person from offering for sale or selling or offering a free sample
of a counterfeit or unsafe lighter in this state. The prohibition does not apply to interstate
transportation of counterfeit or unsafe lighters that pass through this state, or the storage of counterfeit
or unsafe lighters in a warehouse or distribution center in this state, as long as it is not open to the
public for the purpose of retail sale or distribution.
The act defines a lighter as any electrical or mechanical device that operates using any type of fuel and is
intended for use in igniting cigarettes, cigars, pipes, charcoal or gas grills, or fireplaces. It defines a
counterfeit lighter as a lighter that infringes on an intellectual property right of a citizen of the United
States or a person that is protected by federal or state intellectual property law. The act also defines an
unsafe lighter as either of the following: (1) a disposable or refillable cigarette, cigar, or pipe lighter that
does not comply with ATSM International Standard F400-20; or (2) a utility, grill, or fireplace lighter,
lightning rod, or gas match that does not comply with ATSM International Standard F2201-20.
Effective date: July 1, 2024
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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