San Francisco Legislation Proposed to Ban Butane Lighters
The proposed ban aims to curb a rise in fires linked to drug use by prohibiting lockable butane lighters.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Property Crime
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Supervisor Rafael Mandelman has proposed a legislative ban on the sale of lockable butane lighters within San Francisco city limits. The measure seeks to address a surge in property fires caused by drug users who fall asleep while using the devices.
Why it matters
The legislation responds to a significant shift from injecting to smoking drugs in the city, which has led to residents inadvertently starting fires. Prohibiting lighters that maintain a flame without a trigger pull aims to prevent these dangerous incidents.
The proposal includes fines of $500 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for subsequent violations within one year. The policy specifically excludes commercial kitchen equipment used by restaurants.
The players
Rafael Mandelman
He is a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who is leading the effort to restrict the sale of hazardous butane lighters.
London Breed
As the Mayor of San Francisco, she previously enacted restrictive policies on smoke shop hours in the Tenderloin district.
Matt Dorsey
He is a San Francisco Supervisor who expanded existing smoke shop curfew regulations into the SoMa neighborhood.
San Francisco Fire Department
This local agency manages emergency response and maintains fire incident statistics for the city.
The details
Lockable butane lighters are targeted because their design allows the flame to remain active even after a user loses consciousness. While the ban targets retail sales within the city, the legislation will still allow these devices to be purchased online.
Timeline
In 2024, Mayor London Breed imposed a midnight curfew for smoke shops in the Tenderloin.
There were 21 recorded butane-related fires in 2025.
Supervisor Matt Dorsey extended the smoke shop curfew to the SoMa neighborhood in 2026.
Supervisor Rafael Mandelman plans to propose the new legislation on Tuesday.
Legal Context
This proposal extends the city's regulatory trend of using targeted business restrictions to combat public health issues connected to smoke shops. The legislation follows a pattern set by previous midnight curfews in the Tenderloin and SoMa neighborhoods.
The proposed ban will specifically restrict the retail availability of certain lighters for local residents and shoppers. Business owners in the smoke shop industry will face new regulatory compliance requirements and potential fines for non-compliance.
The takeaway
This policy change highlights the city's ongoing struggle to adapt urban regulations to the risks associated with evolving drug use habits. Residents are encouraged to be aware of how retail restrictions on common household items may affect their local shopping options.
Further reading
For more information on local safety efforts, visit the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The San Francisco Standard.
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Should the city ban the sale of lockable butane lighters to reduce fire risks?
