Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a smoking material ignition device having a flame producing end; a holder for engagingly receiving the ignition device so that the flame producing end is exposed; a housing for releasibly receiving the holder; a spring-biased retractable cord interconnecting the holder and the housing; a child safety locking mechanism releasibly locking the holder to the housing; and a structure for mounting the housing to an object.

Abstract: A retraction mechanism for a lighter includes a case with a pinion rotatably mounted therein. A spool is attached to the pinion and a cord, for attaching to the lighter, is wound onto the spool. A spring is provided to rotate the pinion in a direction which winds the cord onto the spool. A rack has teeth that engage teeth on the pinion so that the rack moves linearly with rotation of the pinion. A cylinder body with an aperture is located within the case and a piston, attached to the rack, is within the aperture thereby defining a cylinder chamber which varies in size as the piston moves within the aperture. A passage in the piston allows air to flow between the cylinder chamber and the interior of the case as the cylinder chamber varies in size. The passage has an orifice which changes in size with movement of the piston within the cylinder body, thereby providing a device which dampens winding and unwinding of the cord about the spool.