If you enjoy the relaxation and refinement offered by smoking a cigar or pipe, then you likely know the importance of having a quality lighter on hand. Purchasing high quality options is simpler now than ever before.

Thanks to the Internet, more and more lighter manufacturers are offering their products for sale in the online environment. However, you’ll need to know a bit of information before you make that purchase. For instance, does the lighter come filled with butane?

The short answer is “no.” Manufacturers are prohibited by law from shipping lighters prefilled with butane. Why is this? First, butane poses the threat of fire during the shipping process. Even if damage does not occur to the lighter’s casing, if sufficient heat is applied to the packaging, it’s quite possible that the butane will ignite. Not only would this damage the lighter, but also it could damage other packages, the delivery person or even the handling facility.

Butane is also a threat to health if it is inhaled in its gaseous state. If the lighter’s casing were to crack during the shipping process and those handling the package were subject to inhaling the resultant fumes, serious problems could result. Therefore, the federal government has enacted several laws to help keep consumers and package handlers safe from the threat posed by butane and other flammable liquids and gases.

Of course, there are ways to circumvent the problem. The most obvious one is to have a canister of butane on hand when the lighter arrives. This way, you are able to fill the lighter immediately, allow the fuel to come to room temperature and then begin using it almost immediately. You’ll need to know a few things before you rush out and purchase any butane, though and you’ll need to inspect the manufacturer’s supplemental documentation for it.

Based on the manufacturer’s recommendations, you will be able to determine what brand and type of butane will work best in your lighter. You will also be able to determine if the filler nozzle on the lighter is a standard design, or if you will need to purchase a more exotic type of canister to fill your lighter. With this information in hand, you’ll be able to start using your new lighter almost immediately and enjoying all the benefits of a high quality lighter.