An electro-surgical pencil with a vacuum for removing surgical plume. On the proximal end of the elongated housing are electrical wires and a vacuum tube. These are connected into a control and a source of vacuum. The distal end has a blade for cutting and coagulation. A vacuum nozzle is positioned about the blade and is translatable in the housing. A push bar control or slider on the housing moves the vacuum nozzle from an on-position where it is connected to the external source of vacuum and leaves the blade substantially exposed. In an off-position, the vacuum tube has a disconnectable joint that has a fitting that is removed from the vacuum tube. The external nozzle in this off-position substantially covers the blade. The push bar control may act as a control of the electrical and vacuum sources. The pencil is sterilized and disposable.