I’ve heard that on the Sabbath, observant Jews are not allowed to “manipulate fire” which is taken so broadly that even light switches can’t be flipped on because the electrical signal is a akin to a tiny fire.
So does this mean that Jews are not allowed to smoke on the Sabbath? Would it make any difference if a gentile lit the cigarrette for them?
Smoking: A Jewish Perspective should provide you with all the answers you need. Basically, orthodox Jews won’t smoke on the Sabbath and curiously even heavy smokers experience little in the way of cravings on the Sabbath in comparison to other times when they can’t smoke, such as when at work.
Also, there is an indication that smoking may be out of question for strict Jews. Since life is a gift from the creator we have no right to effect it in a negative manner and smoking has been shown many times to be bad for you. Since preservation of life is a Mitzvah (commandment) then smoking really should be ruled out 7 days a week.
Blalron, that is exactly correct. Smoking is forbidden on the Sabbath. My father used to smoke, and I remember very clearly how quickly he lit up the second Sabbath ended.
That said, a number of Rabbis have said that to start smoking (being that we now know the dangers to health) is forbidden altogether. For a “grandfathered” smoker to continue may be permitted, as the withdrawal might cause him more harm than continuing (obviously, sensitivity to the addiction varied from person to person). But even they are not permitted to on Sabbath.