True or false: Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related deaths.

Smoking is indeed considered the leading cause of fire-related deaths. This is primarily due to the fact that many fires that originate from smoking materials, like cigarettes, can lead to significant injuries and fatalities. When a cigarette is carelessly discarded or falls asleep with a cigarette lit, it can ignite flammable materials such as furniture, bedding, or carpet, leading to house fires.

Statistical data from fire departments and safety organizations consistently show that smoking is responsible for a substantial percentage of residential fire incidents. This highlights the significant risk that smoking poses, particularly in environments where flammable materials are present.

While factors such as region and demographics can influence the frequency and causes of fire-related incidents, the established evidence strongly supports the characterization of smoking as a primary factor in fire-related deaths on a national level. Therefore, this assertion is validated by numerous studies and fire safety records, confirming the seriousness of smoking when it comes to fire hazards.