Crossword Genius

Philip joins the last smoker (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pipe

'smoker' is the definition.

'philip joins the last' is the wordplay.
'philip' becomes 'pip' (can be a nickname for Philip).
'joins' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'last' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'the' is 'e'.
'pip'+'e'='PIPE'

(Other definitions for pipe that I've seen before include "Tube to carry water, gas etc" , "At sea, signal arrival" , "Smoker's item" , "Wine cask; sing shrilly" , "Long tube" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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