Abstract: The invention provides an illuminating handheld smoking article that generally includes a handheld body, an LED cover, an LED assembly, an LED activation assembly, and a self-contained power source. This article overcomes the disadvantages of detection, short battery life, and difficulties presented with holding small objects by incorporating illumination, activation upon airflow sensing, and a larger gripping surface into the design, respectively. The smoking article enables safe and effective coupling with an item to be smoked.