The first post is a perfect example of the confusion. The email reported to come from TSA says "Passengers are permitted to carry lighters that are fueled with liquified gas (Bic-type) or absorbed liquid (Zippo-type)." The regulations ACTUALLY say that the liguified gas (bic-type) lighters must be DISPOSABLE lighters.
The intent of the regulation was that you may NOT carry on butane lighters which are the refillable type, but only those which are disposable and therefore sealed from the introduction of your own choice of explosive gas.
The TSA agents are going to do what they want to do, regardless of anything you show them in print or say. Live with it! In fact I suspect that this itself is strategic: terrorists can't anticipate what TSA will do.. because even TSA doesn't know.