I can answer the "smoking child" riddle. My girlfriend's father tried to set me on fire this Spring Festival, much fun was had by all. 

But the "traditional" way to light firecrackers is to poke the "fuse" with a lit cigarette. Possible because they don't have a normal firework fuse, but rather, seem to be made of even more firey death. Literally, milliseconds. 

Word of advice: When they tell you "light it and leap backwards!", you may want to take them seriously :D