Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. usu. in pl., the lungs.

1827

Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 23 June 3/2: Perdue caught Stone just under the short ribs near the puffers.

2. (US) a cigar.

1887

Lantern (N.O.) 9 Apr. 6: A puffer that will make the air sweet and fragrant.

3. (drugs) an opium smoker.

1982

Spears Sl. and Jargon of Drugs and Drink (1986).

4. (drugs) a smoker of crack cocaine.

2001

ONDCP Street Terms 17: Puffer — Crack smoker.

5. (drugs) a smoker of cannabis or hashish.

1964		E. Wilson Earl Wilson’s N.Y. 147: Hopheads . . . marijuana-puffers – they’re all over.
1986		J. Campbell Gate Fever 72: Greene on the twos will be having a party tonight. Puffers only invited.
1995		J. Stahl Permanent Midnight 84: Grass so strong, I actually noticed being high. Which, for a constant puffer like myself, marked no small claim.

6. an asthma inhaler.

2024

J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 113: Doesn’t do their asthma any favours. You find used puffers everywhere. There’s any amount of inhalers [...] like there’s been a wheezers convention.