While other tobacco products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco fell victim to anti-smoking campaigns, the cigar has remained firmly entrenched in popular culture. The popularity and iconic status of the cigar can be attributed, in part, to the fame and status of the people who smoke them.

There are some standard foods that are considered a traditional pairing. Food photographer, Kyle Dreier, does a brilliant job of illustrating eight of them here. We couldn’t help ourselves and added the ninth.

Today, March 6th, is National Smoke a Cigar Day. In response to onerous taxation, the looming threat of over-regulation, and ever-increasing public demonization, we are asking all brothers and sisters of the leaf to join in. It doesn’t matter what stick you choose, just grab one of your favorites and light ‘em up!

Knowing how to cut a cigar is important, because a bad cut can damage a cigar and ruin how it smokes and tastes. Here is a step-by-step guide to cutting a cigar with a common guillotine cigar cutter, cigar scissors, V-cutter, and a punch cutter.

Smoking has a sedative effect upon the nerves, and enables a man to bear the sorrows of his life (of which everyone has his share) not only decently, but dignifiedly. ~George Burrow | Find the time. If need be, grab some booze and/or company, but just do it.

“I wish to say that I’m not ashamed of anything whatever that I do, and I don’t feel that smoking makes me ashamed, and therefore I mean to smoke to the glory of God.” ~C.H. Spurgeon

A fine cigar is like a fine woman. They come in all shapes and sizes. Treat them tenderly and lovingly. Caress their skin, admire their beauty, fondle them with reverence. Bring them slowly to your lips…

The cigar is a great resource. It is necessary to have traveled for a long time on a ship to understand that at least the cigar affords you the pleasure of smoking. It raises your spirits.

Smoking is a personal statement, and that statement is independence and flair. Ayn Rand once said of smoking, “Fire, a dangerous force, tamed at his fingertips.” Smoking exudes sophistication and an ability to relax and enjoy life. These are the people you want to hang out with, not dull teetotalers.

The guys at Stogies on the Rocks created this Cigar Size & Shape Chart to be a quick visual reference for cigar smokers.

Except for the fame and fortune, celebrities are just like you and me. They put their pants on one leg at a time and when they relax they like to enjoy a good cigar. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared May 31, “World No Tobacco Day.” Please join us in dishonoring the anti-tobacco movement by defying their edict and lighting up and enjoying a cigar today.

The Cigar… a poem by Thomas Hood. Some sigh for this and that, my wishes don’t go far; the world may wag at will, so I have my cigar.