Four-alarm fire caused by a careless smoker rips through two-family house in Forest Hills

You're making a blanket statement. That's like banning pit bulls because some people got bit by one. Smoking by and of itself is perfectly harmless. Combine it with other risky behaviors though and, just like candles, it can be a problem. Before you say "Yeah but second hand..." Shut up, I don't care. If you smoked it would be first hand smoke and then you wouldn't need to worry about second hand smoke.

Smoking, when done responsibly, is not a fire hazard anymore than a backyard BBQ (you just don't use it on a wooden deck), a candle (don't light them and leave them burning while you sleep or aren't sitting at the dinner table), etc.

But OK, here are some of my own blanket statements or ideas:

1. Don't use couches outside on the porch. It's not just a fire hazard, they can get infested with critters, and it just looks tacky.

2. And following up on the tacky, don't use non-leather couches. Cloth upholstered furniture is ugly and the potential injury to the eyeballs is far more dangerous than anything else. Also leather is less likely to ignite.

3. Don't smoke cigarettes coated in fire accelerators. Most major brands of cigarettes (for example Marlboro or Camel) soak the tobacco in fuel so it burns faster. Tobacco only cigarettes go out almost right away when not being actively inhaled every few seconds (for example American Spirit or self rolled). They also last longer so you enjoy them more.

4. Don't smoke and hold it in your hand unless you are actively engaging in things that prevent you from falling asleep. When not inhaling set it down in those notches ashtrays have just for that purpose. Smoking in a bed or on a couch is just silly anyhow, if you're awake you should be at your computer working.