Cigar Etiquette

Cigar connoisseur, Zino Davidoff,  outlined the cigar smoker’s etiquette in 1967, in his noted essay for connoisseurs. Davidoff’s protocol can be applied to cigar smokers worldwide and is as valid today as it was when it was back in 1967.

The following Do’s and Don’ts are among his protocol:

Do’s –

• Warm the foot of the cigar slightly before starting to puff on it.
• Remove the band carefully after lighting the cigar. It should only take a minute for the gum on the cigar band to be sufficiently warm to remove the band with ease.
• Take your time smoking your cigar, a puff a minute is about right.
• Hold the cigar between your index finger and your thumb, not between your index finger and middle finger.
• Allow the cigar to die a dignified death; after it's smoked halfway, it will go out on its own.
• Dispose of a dead cigar discreetly and quickly.
• Wait at least 15 minutes between cigars as anything less indicates obsessive behavior.
• It is important to remember that cigar smokers should always present themselves as considerate, understanding people. Altering non-cigar smokers’ preconceived opinions about cigar smokers, whilst improving the good name of enthusiasts, is well worth that little extra effort to be courteous.

Don't –

• Use a penknife to cut or pierce the end of the cigar.
• Touch the flame directly to the foot of the cigar, simply rotate it around the edge instead, until it begins to burn, and then puff on it lightly.
• Lighting a cigar should be a personal experience; never ask someone else for a light.
• Light your cigar too slowly or too quickly.
• Indulge in exhibitionism, whether you are lighting or smoking your cigar.
• Relight your cigar if less than one quarter of it is leaf.
• Put the cigar in your mouth to relight it.
• Simply scrape off the excess ash and turn the cigar in the flame for several seconds until  it relights.
• Clench your cigar between your teeth.
• Wet the end of your cigar. Don’t chew it, or slobber on it either.
• Smoke too quickly.
• Ever use a cigar holder.
• Stick a toothpick or matchstick in the end of the cigar to help hold it in your mouth.
• Dip your cigar in port or brandy, a habit attributed to Winston Churchill.
• Smoke whilst working.
• Hold a cigar between your index and middle finger; always between thumb and index finger.
• Smoke whilst walking in public.
• Smoke more than half the cigar.
• Put the cigar out by crushing it in an ashtray. Let your cigar die a natural death.
• Chain-smoke cigars.