Smoke with copper about (4)
I believe the answer is:
cure
'smoke' is the definition.
(as in cured meats)
'with copper about' is the wordplay.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'about' becomes 're' (regarding).
'cu' put next to 're' is 'CURE'.
(Other definitions for cure that I've seen before include "Restore to good health" , "Make well again" , "Restore to health or preserve with salt" , "Treat - French parish priest" , "Remedy or preserve" .)