Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna announced in a press conference March 4 his proposal for a ban on the sale of cigarette lighters to children.

He cited the recent trend of children in local schools possessing lighters that look like ballpoint pens as the reason this legislation is so pressing at this time. "These are innocent looking pens to some unsuspecting parents and teachers," he said, "but these same pens also hold a flammable liquid."

Altadonna lauded lawmakers for their foresight in banning the sale of cigarettes and spray paint to minors, but said the next logical step would be "to address the potential harm of selling all types of fire-starting devices to our children."

Altadonna said butane lighters are associated with cigarette smoking and drug use and that most incidents of arson involving children can be traced to the use of lighters. He asked all area merchants to stop selling cigarette lighters to minors immediately and voluntarily, and said he hopes to take this proposed legislation to the town, county, state and federal levels.

Also present at the press conference was Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto. He said he supports cooperation between the Village of Massapequa Park and Town of Oyster Bay to assure this legislation is passed. "If government exists for any reason at all," he said, "it exists to protect the health and safety of the residents that it serves."

Venditto said that none of the local merchants to whom he spoke were opposed to the proposed ban. "The merchants in our area, compelled as they are to make a profit, are equally compelled to do the right thing."

Many local parents were also present at the conference to show their support for Altadonna's plan. Dahlia Capolongo, mother of 12-year-old Matthew, said she hopes this legislation will be passed before the sale of lighters to children results in tragedy. "It's our job as parents to make sure our children know the ramifications and understand why they should not have these pens."

Barry Leighton, father of 9-year-old Connor, said, "I am not sure which is more dangerous for a middle school student - cigarettes or a lighter in the shape of a pen. It is unfortunate that the manufacturers of these products take little responsibility for what happens after the product leaves their hands."

Over the next few months, Altadonna plans to move forward with this legislation and see that the sales of such items are stopped. "Our children should not be allowed to literally 'play with fire.'"