What is the function of a cigarette lighter?

A cigarette lighter is a device to light cigarettes. They are typically electric or gas-powered. Disposable cigarette lighters burn butane gas. Some reusable lighters use butane, while others use lighter fluid which is poured into a cotton wadding. Car cigarette lighters and wall-mounted cigarette lighters are electric. Electric lighters heat a coil of wire, and the cigarette is placed against the heated wire as the smoker puffs.

In cars, lighter sockets provide other functionality, and can be used to operate laptops, charge cell phones, play games, watch television, power lights, and more.