Apparatus and methods for lighting tobacco-containing articles

Apparatus for lighting a tobacco-containing article having a conductive tip, comprising an electrical power source having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein said positive electrode and said negative electrode are adapted to complete a circuit upon contact with said conductive tip of said tobacco-containing article so as to light said tobacco-containing article.

Apparatus for lighting a tobacco-containing article, comprising:

• an electrical power source having positive and negative electrodes;
• and
• a heating element slidably mounted with respect to said positive and negative electrodes for being selectably brought into operative engagement therewith for receiving power from said power source, thereby to be heated sufficiently to light said tobacco-containing article.

A method for lighting a tobacco-containing article having an electrically conductive tip, the method comprising contacting said tip of said tobacco-containing article with electrodes of an electrical power source so as to close a circuit through said tip, thereby heating said tip sufficiently to light said tobacco-containing article.

A method for lighting a tobacco-containing article, comprising:

• slidably positioning an electrical resistance heating element into operative engagement with electrodes of an electrical power source, thereby to heat said electrical heating element sufficiently so as to light said tobacco-containing article;
• and
• bringing said tip of said tobacco-containing article into contact with said electrical heating element so as to light said tobacco-containing article.