Smoking a good Cuban may provide the cigar smoker with a great deal of pleasure in his life, but the courteous smoker will be sure to note that not everyone will relish the taste or odor of a fine cigar. With the fervor of anti-smoking campaigns still in full swing, the importance of enjoying a good stogie while not offending others cannot be emphasized enough. Simply don’t forget that while you’re smoking a cigar, it can be hard to guess the smell that others are going through. A strong residue can be left on about any surface that cigar smoke touches, for example furnishings, clothing, and walls. Learn to become a carefully thoughtful and courteous cigar smoker, so that you can enjoy your stogie without guilt.
If you live with non-smokers, try to find a well-ventilated area of your residence where you can smoke comfortably. Although you may be tempted to smoke in your bedroom or office, it’s generally not a good idea to smoke in an enclosed area without some sort of ventilation such as a window. Never smoke your cigar in a closed area, because of the dangers present when inhaling the toxic air, so if possible, take your cigar outside and smoke. Pull up a lawn chair, relax on the porch, or any other open area where you can smoke comfortably but get away as far away as possible to non-smokers, especially children and the elderly. Remember that cigar smoke contains many carcinogens that can be easily inhaled by non-smokers.
Remember that the courteous and polite smoker will only light up where legally permitted when smoking a cigar outside of their home. Remember not to light up in establishments such as a bar, hotel, or restaurant where smoking is not sanctioned. Be sure to ask for permission from non-smokers to light up in their presence, as this is the courteous and polite thing to do. Make sure that the smoke isn’t wafting in their direction if they happen to agree. Make sure that if you’re sitting near an open window or air conditioner that the smoke isn’t moving in their direction. Also, make sure no one around you is eating because the secondhand smoke from a discourteous smoker is a surefire way to ruin a meal.
A courteous cigar smoker will make sure to dispose of their ashes in the appropriate container when smoking outside of the home. Don’t forget that ashes can easily blow away, especially in lower quality cigars so don’t litter with ashes, and be careful they don’t blow near anyone around you.