Abstract: A smokeless lighter includes a heater sized to accommodate a smokable article such as a cigarette such that a portion of the cigarette protrudes from the lighter. The heater maintains the temperature in an internal chamber in the range of 160 to 200° C. so as to be below the ignition temperature for tobacco. An insulating jacket surrounds the heater to protect the smokers from burn injury. Circuitry may be activated manually or by insertion of a cigarette into the heater and limits operation of the heater preferably to a period of 10 to 12 minutes. Optionally, a light may be used to indicate when air is drawn through the smokeless lighter.