Sailor possibly low in cigarettes (3)
I believe the answer is:
tar
'sailor' is the definition.
(slang term for a sailor)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tar that I've seen before include "It paves the way" , "not put on ship in proverbial case of false economy?" , "Sticky stuff for a kind of sailor" , "It may cover the road" , "Sticky substance - seaman" .)