Bit of smoke's back in top piece of lab kit (4-4)
I believe the answer is:
test-tube
'piece of lab kit' is the definition.
'bit of smoke's back in top' is the wordplay.
'bit of smoke's' becomes 'butts' (remains of a cigarette or 'smoke').
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'top' becomes 'tee' (T-shirt).
'butts' backwards is 'sttub'.
'sttub' placed within 'tee' is 'TEST-TUBE'.
I've seen this clue in The Times.
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