an outflow of butane gas through the nozzle 22 according to the present invention the lighter 10 includes a lever indicated generally by reference numeral 42 which is made of plastic material and which is illustrated in greater detail in fig1 and 2 the lever 42 is horizontally displaceable between a locked position in which it is shown in fig3 and a released position in which it is shown in fig4 and 5 as shown in fig1 and 2 the lever 42 has a an end position comprising rounded end 44 and an adjacent knurled portion 46 which at opposite sides of the lever 42 is formed with knurling 48 adjacent the knurled portion 46 the top of the lever 42 is formed with a ramp or wedge portion 50 which curves downwardly and to the left as view in fig1 and 2 with a projection in the form of a ridge 52 formed near the top of the ramp portion 50 when the lever 42 is in its locking position as shown in fig2 the ridge 52 engages the teeth of the side wheel 34 and thus prevents rotation of the spark wheel 32 at its mid portion the lever 42 is formed with.