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How to Light a Cigarette With Batteries

Sometimes you just absolutely need a smoke, and of course, you don't have matches or a lighter; just like Murphy's Law, it usually happens at the most inconvenient or desperate times. Fortunately, if you have access to a battery or battery pack, you can light your cigarette without a lighter. With a few simple tools, you can easily make an impromptu cigarette lighter.

Unplug the battery. For a 9-volt battery, unplug the black snaps from the "crowns" at the top. If it is rechargeable (from a device like a cell phone), release the battery from its housing.

Bend a paperclip into an "S" shape. Use your fingernail to pull the smaller loop out of the paperclip 180 degrees.

Locate the contacts. The "crowns" at the top of a 9 volt, or the copper or gold-colored contacts on a rechargeable battery pack, are the points where the battery's electricity is transmitted.

Place the clip on the contacts--one end on each crown. For rechargeable battery packs, position the clip to touch all contacts.

Wait a minute or two. As the clip attempts to conduct electricity, it will heat up and begin to glow. Light your cigarette on the glowing clip.

Things You'll Need:

  • Cigarettes
  • Paper clip
  • 9-volt battery or rechargeable battery pack

Warnings:

  • It is very dangerous to light a cigarette this way; burns are the most common accident, but rechargeable battery packs may be damaged and older batteries may leak or explode. Remove the clip immediately after lighting your cigarette to prevent damage or accidental fires.
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