Hit the inside with steel wool so it slides easily over the tank, Clean and epoxy it to the lighter base and you're back to the way it was when new. Then your fingers can slide it totally off. Switch to a screwdriver when you can round and round. Don't pry too much in one area or ot will dent and you'll never get it off. Stick the point of a single edge razor blade into the tiny groove around the lip and work your way around slowly prying it down a hair at a time round and round. Guess what? It's still there jammed on the tank above your rubber band. The first step is diagnosing what is wrong with your lighter, and then you can get to work fixing it. Generally its a quick fix, but its also very easy to buy a new one. I've used that, O-rings, and electrical tape because the original trim ring appears to be missing. Sometimes a lighter can get stuck or broken. I see there is a rubber band around your tank to keep it tight in the holder. Now an observation I see all the time and only recently have I discovered the answer. If needed replacement valves are available.
![ronson lighter cotton replacement ronson lighter cotton replacement](https://i.etsystatic.com/8223708/r/il/dc1ec4/1551994883/il_fullxfull.1551994883_atmp.jpg)
The proper way to check is to submerge the filled unit (minus the flint of course) in water to check for bubbles. The outlet valve is notorious for leaking and to a lesser degree the inlet valve. CAUTION: Under no circumstances put butane in and attempt to spark it. Now the butane I use for all my Varaflames is Neon and comes with all adaptors. Insertion of a flint should now produce a spark. Keep rotating until all grooves are clean. Manually lift the snuffer cap to expose the flint wheel and take a single edge razor blade and scrape out each groove of flint gunk. That should prevent operation of the lighter button.
![ronson lighter cotton replacement ronson lighter cotton replacement](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/s2an3hR1kdo/maxresdefault.jpg)
![ronson lighter cotton replacement ronson lighter cotton replacement](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YvMAAOSwXDZgXrFE/s-l300.jpg)
You say you've got it out but to be sure I stick a drill or similar wire into the tube and press up agains the flint wheel. Getting the old flint out is the most important thing.