Lighting & Smoking Etiquette
Never light another person’s cigar without being asked. Offering a light is perfectly courteous, but the act of lighting is a personal ritual. If offered a light, hold the cigar to the flame yourself. Similarly, never stub out a cigar like a cigarette — simply place it in the ashtray and allow it to extinguish naturally. Crushing a cigar is considered disrespectful to the torcedor’s craft.
Remove the band at the appropriate time. Tradition varies by culture — in Britain, it is considered polite to remove the band before smoking to avoid the appearance of showing off the brand. In other traditions, leaving the band on is acceptable. If in doubt, wait until the cigar has warmed enough for the adhesive to loosen (about 5–10 minutes), then slide it off gently.
Lounge Etiquette
When visiting a cigar lounge, familiarise yourself with the house rules. Most lounges expect you to purchase cigars on-site or pay a cutting fee for outside cigars. Do not bring food with strong aromas, and keep your mobile phone on silent. The lounge environment is designed for relaxation and conversation.
Respect other patrons’ space and cigars. Commenting positively on another smoker’s choice is welcome, but unsolicited criticism or advice is not. If you are new to a lounge, the staff are your best resource — they can recommend cigars based on your preferences and guide you on house customs.
Gifting & Sharing Cigars
Gifting cigars is a cherished tradition. When offering a cigar, present it from your humidor or travel case, not from your pocket where it may have been damaged or dried out. Offer a selection if possible, allowing the recipient to choose. Never offer a cigar you would not smoke yourself.
When someone offers you a cigar, accept graciously even if it is not your usual preference. Smoking a gifted cigar is a sign of respect and camaraderie. If you genuinely cannot smoke it, politely explain and offer to save it for another occasion rather than declining outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you remove the band from a cigar before smoking?
Tradition varies by culture. In Britain, removing the band before smoking is considered polite to avoid showing off the brand. In many other traditions, keeping it on is perfectly acceptable. If you choose to remove it, wait 5–10 minutes until the cigar warms up and the adhesive loosens, then slide it off gently to avoid tearing the wrapper.
How do you properly put out a cigar?
Never stub or crush a cigar. Simply place it in an ashtray and allow it to extinguish naturally on its own, which usually takes only a minute or two. Crushing a cigar releases unpleasant odours and is considered disrespectful to the craftsmanship involved in its making.
Social Etiquette
Always ask before lighting up in the company of others. Even in spaces where smoking is permitted, it is courteous to ensure your smoke will not disturb those around you. Position yourself downwind when outdoors, and be mindful of non-smokers, children, and those with respiratory sensitivities.
When smoking in a group, avoid "chimneystack" behaviour — puffing constantly and filling the room with excessive smoke. A relaxed pace of one puff per minute is both etiquette and good smoking practice. Engage in conversation, appreciate the moment, and let the cigar be an accompaniment to the occasion, not the centre of attention.
Did you know? The greatest cigar etiquette rule is also the simplest: be considerate. A cigar is meant to be enjoyed, and the best smoking experiences are shared ones.