Over the centuries, many traditions and unwritten rules have developed around smoking cigars.
Whether stepping foot into a cigar lounge for the first time or trying to fit in at a backyard party, it’s helpful to know the do’s and don’ts of cigar smoking to avoid embarrassment.
Why is cigar smoking etiquette important?
Demonstrating polite behavior and a certain degree of decorum ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone. Cigar etiquette covers many aspects of the cigar smoking experience, from lighting your stick correctly to putting out your stogie.
Being mindful of your behavior and respectful of others will quickly endear you to smokers at all levels of experience. By adhering to these rules and traditions, you’ll evolve into a refined and well-educated cigar smoker representing the cigar world like the classy person you are.
Remember that, like everyone else, you’re there to enjoy yourself and appreciate one of America’s most popular pastimes. Take the time to learn the essential cigar etiquette tips every smoker needs to know.
Eight rules of proper cigar etiquette
We’ve compiled a comprehensive set of cigar etiquette rules to get you on your smoking journey.
Use a cigar cutter and lighter
You can’t begin smoking until you’ve cut off the cap or closed end of the cigar. Use a proper cigar cutter such as a cigar punch or v-cutter. Don’t be tempted to use a sharp object like a Swiss army knife or bite off the cap, as you will risk mutilating your stogie. In addition to looking like an amateur, you won’t be able to cut the cigar as cleanly, resulting in the loss of tobacco and an uneven burn.
Lighting your cigar should be a personal experience. Never ask someone else to light yours. Remember to bring your lighter so you don’t have to borrow one. While most cigar smokers will have no issues lending you their lighter, don’t make it a regular request. Only use a lighter, matches, or cedar spill to light your cigar — don’t turn to a candle as the aroma particles may ruin it.
Take the time to toast your cigar correctly too. When lighting, your cigar should remain in your hand (not your mouth). Doing this will enable you to see what you’re doing. Keep the flame far from the cigar’s foot — too close, and it will ruin your smoke.
It still needs to be a distance close enough to char the tobacco. Hold the cigar an inch or two away from your lit lighter and slowly rotate it over the flame. Be patient, and the foot will take on an orange-red glow. Blow gently on the foot to distribute the heat evenly.
Finally, if you have borrowed a lighter from somebody else, return it to them promptly.
Take your time smoking a cigar
Cigar smoking is a marathon, not a sprint. There are no prizes for finishing your stogie in record time, and it isn’t looked on favorably in cigar circles. Smoking a cigar too fast is a common mistake beginner smokers make. It causes the tobacco leaves to burn faster, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth.
Only puff on your cigar every minute or so. This ensures it burns at a consistent pace and gives it time to cool down so you can experience the blend of aromas and flavors. Cigars are designed to be enjoyed and appreciated — it’s handy for first-time smokers to have a glass of water nearby to keep hydrated at all times.
Don’t dip your cigar
Cigars can be paired with a range of drinks, from coffee and cocktails to a single malt scotch. Great Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, famously dipped his stogie in a glass of brandy between draws. However, dipping your cigar in your beverage should be avoided at all costs. It does nothing to enhance its flavor, and ash will end up in your drink. Too much moisture can also plug the cigar’s draw.
Infused cigars are available where the flavor is incorporated into a premium hand-rolled blend to deliver a specific taste, such as coffee, chocolate, or whiskey. However, your cigar has been crafted by master blenders to be smoked just as it is — save your dunking for tea and biscuits.
Watch your ashes
Don’t attempt to get the longest stretch of ash possible. You’re setting yourself up to get ‘ashed’ — ash flakes and smudges on your clothes are not a good look. While ash helps keep the smoke cooler, it should never exceed an inch. When the time is right, gently tap your cigar into an ashtray before it drops on its own. Too firm, and you run the risk of it spraying across your lap and on those of fellow smokers.
Tapping your cigar on the floor is entirely off-limits. Also, be conscious of any furniture. If you do cause any mess, it’s your responsibility to clean it up.
Don’t stub out the cigar
Stubbing out your cigar when you’re finished smoking or taking a break screams amateur. It’s not a respectful way to end your smoking experience. It creates a mess and releases an unpleasant odor of smashed-out tobacco that others won’t enjoy.
Instead, place your lit cigar on the edge of the ashtray and let it go out on its own.
Don’t put the cigar in your mouth to relight it
If your cigar needs rebooting, the lighting process should be identical to the first light. It’s poor manners to relight your smoke while it’s in your mouth, so use your fingertips to hold the cigar and gently rotate it as you lightly toast the end with your lighter.
Don’t cut your cigar in half
Don’t be fooled. Cutting your cigar in half might give you “two cigars,” but you will have undone all the effort into its expert construction. Choosing the right cigar size is important, especially for beginners, as you want to choose something you’ll finish.
If your cigar's size is over-facing, buy something smaller next time. You can always save your half-smoked stogie (see below) — just resist cutting it in two.
Don’t put a half-smoked cigar in your humidor
Sticking with your half-smoked cigar, it begs the question of how you salvage it. Whether time has evaporated or you’ve run out of puff, you don’t want to dispose of half your stogie, no matter how much you paid. While it won’t taste the same as when you first put fire to foot, it’s still got life for another day.
Let your half-smoked stogie go out, cut the ash off, and store it in a ziplock bag, ideally for no more than a day. Whatever you do, please don’t leave it to sit for a few hours in your humidor, glove compartment, purse, or a room in your house. A half-finished cigar kicks up a pungent aroma that will overwhelm any area.
Does cigar lounge etiquette differ?
Cigar lounges are a great place to meet like-minded people who want to step back from their busy everyday lives and enjoy a premium cigar. It’s imperative to be considerate and understanding no matter where you are smoking your cigars.
Two main differences with cigar lounge etiquette are the dress code and bringing in outside cigars. Many cigar lounges have a dress code, so be respectful and dress appropriately. All cigars sampled in a lounge should be purchased in-house. Don’t bring any from your collection, or worse, a competitor’s shop.
Most other rules and etiquette apply in cigar lounges as they do outside these sacred places. This could be anything from not blowing smoke in someone’s face to appreciating that everyone has different flavor profile preferences.
By following these tips on cigar etiquette, you can create a comfortable and pleasant experience not just for you, but for everyone else. Cigar smoking is personal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the magic of a top-notch smoke with others.
We hope this guide helps you appropriately conduct yourself when you light up for the first time. Cigars are one of the finer things in life, so it’s worth doing them properly.