Matches or lighters, which is best?

When smoking cigarettes, which does one prefer to use, a match or a lighter? What are their differences? According to the Roll-It-Up site, 82.86% of smokers use lighters while 5.71% use matches and 11.43% use other means to light a cigarette.

Some use lighters because it’s easier and more convenient, while others use matches because they are primarily made of paper, which is a renewable material.

Matches are typically wooden sticks coated at one end with a material called phosphorus that will ignite if rubbed against a suitable surface. It is considered the most eco-friendly option amongst other devices in fire-lighting. It is also in the top 36 of 50 ways to help the planet, because the cardboard boxes can be made of recycled paper. There are two types of matches: the safety match, which can be lit only if rubbed against a prepared surface; and the strike-anywhere match, which can be used on any solid surface; however, it is dangerous because it can catch fire anywhere.

In contrast, a lighter comprises of a plastic or metal container filled with lighter fluid. It specifies the height of the maximum flame and its resistance to high temperatures and water. There are different kinds of lighters: Zippos, which use ordinary lighter fluid; the torch type, which uses butane lighter fluid with a much clearer flame; and the normal lighter, which also uses butane lighter fluid, but is easily damaged.

What do you think it is safest to use, a lighter or a match? The answer is a matter of personal preference, but always remember that these two devices should be keep out of the reach of children.

Posted in Lighters, Rolling Accessories, Smoking by junglefever at September 6th, 2009.

2 Responses to “Matches or lighters, which is best?”

  1. Jezza says:

    I always use matches, as i find the flame better.

  2. Simon says:

    Who’d carry a boxe of matches around with them all the time, get a lighter jezza.

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