There IS a difference in the quality of the lighters...

Bic produce a smaller flame, allowing you to corner the bowl better and not fully cherry it, the smaller flame also means you inhale less butane.

The cheap chinese lighters pride was referring to originally as butane (usually thin and clear) produce a huge flame in excess of an inch or so much larger than Bics. This cherrie the weed more leading to a harsher hit and more chemically taste if that helps. That's why people dont usually use Zippos for bowls, since its all just chemicals extra