Abstract: A lighter has a body forming a reservoir holding a supply of a flammable gas under pressure and a valve on the body openable to allow the gas to escape from the reservoir as a jet extending along an axis and normally urged axially open by the pressure of the gas. A pressure reducer is provided on the reservoir upstream of the valve and an igniter on the body can light the jet when the valve releases it. An operating lever pivoted about an axis orthogonal to the jet axis has a front end normally bearing axially downward on the valve and a rear end. A first spring braced between the body and the lever rear end rotationally biases the lever front end downward on the valve with a predetermined first force greater than the force exerted oppositely on the valve by the gas.