To many smokers in the Pioneer Valley, a cigarette is just a cigarette. But five months ago, Massachusetts joined 22 other states in a mandate that stores begin phasing in cigarettes that self-extinguish, and phasing out those that do not.

Despite the measure, in the past month alone, there have been three fires in Northampton among several others in Western Mass. that have all been started by a cigarette.

"In the last month, we've been busier in Northampton in relation to structure fires and other significant incidents, than we've been in the last decade combined," said Brian Duggan, Northampton's Fire Chief.

A rooming house at Bridge and Hawley Streets is just the latest in a series of fires ignited by what firefighters call unattended smoking materials. The residents walk away or fall asleep, and the still-lit cigarette goes to work. Soon, residents are burned out of their home, or worse.

But a "Fire Safe Cigarette" has special bands of less porous paper that self-extinguishes at specific intervals. Chief Duggan said this type of cigarette helps prevent fires on upholstery and bedding material only.

"But even with that standard, and that higher level of safety in place, it will still ignite mulch, a trash barrel, a dumpster, and things like that. And all too frequently in Northampton, we've had some of those experiences," he said.

Some area smokers said they are adapting to the new cigarettes, and some even like the idea.

"If I put it in the ashtray, it burns itself out. So, it's not continuously smoking," said Melissa Nelson, a Springfield resident and smoker.

Other smokers have never heard of the fire safe cigarettes but admit that sometimes it can come in handy.

"I work in a nursing home, so you still have some older residents who smoke, and sometimes they forget and the cigarettes fall, so it would be good," said Marinda Hannans, another smoker.

State fire officials are still investigating to uncover what type of cigarette started these fires, because even though it is law to start selling fire safe cigarettes, stores that still had the old variety in stock are allowed to continue selling off the remainder.

If you are a smoker and want to know if your cigarettes are "fire safe," check the label on the pack. The "fire safe" kind says "FSC".