The applications of the lighter using the capacitance discharge topology operate in 2 phases :
PHASE 1
The energy coming from the mains is stored into the capacitor C. For that, the AC voltage is rectified by the diode Ds.
PHASE 2
At the end of the phase 1, the voltage across the capacitor C reaches the avalanche threshold of the zener. Then a current flows through the gate of the thyristor Th which fires. The firing of the thyristor causes an alternating current to flow through the capacitor C. The positive parts of this current flow through C, Th and the primary of the HV transformer. The negative parts of the current flow through C, D and the primaty of the HV transformer.