Abstract: An ignition mechanism for a lighter for cigarettes, cigars, etc. The ignition mechanism makes a fire surely and easily by a single operation and without staining the thumb of the user. A striker wheel is provided at least on one side thereof with a toothed wheel. An operation member is positioned adjacent the toothed wheel. The operation member is mounted on a shaft so as to be movable up and down and inclinable in the direction of moving to and away from the toothed wheel. The operation member has at least one engagement portion corresponding to the teeth of the toothed wheel. A coiled spring is disposed between the lower end of the operation member and the lighter body. The coiled spring pushes the operation member toward the toothed wheel. The operation member is connected with a nozzle lifting lever so that the nozzle lifting lever lifts the nozzle when the operation member is pushed down.