Who Smokes Cigars?

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
Apr 3rd 2009 at 10:02AM

A commenter on Hey, Bargain-Hunters: Cigar Prices already Hiked raised an interesting (and valid) question: why do cigar smokers care about a tax on cigars? After all, he continues, "Aren't cigar smokers supposed to be, you know, big swinging dicks? Tough uber-capitalists, showing off their success?" It's a reasonable question because few outside our community understand who we are and what we do.

Walk into any cigar shop in the country, and you'll probably be surprised by the population sitting around tables, leaning on counters or sitting in luxurious leather chairs – depending on the store, of course. Yes, a handful will sport smartly-cut suits, Windsor knots in their ties and auras of financial invincibility, even in today's harsh economic climate. The stereotype exists for a reason, in urban areas, especially. But, it's not representative of the majority.

When you turn your gaze from the newly-less-wealthy asset manager to the rest of the shop, you'll find a little bit of everyone. The regulars at my local shop include artists, construction workers, teachers, soldiers and accountants. A lowly blogger even shows up from time to time. We get a bit of everything. And, I saw the same trends in cigar shops in Boston, Washington, DC, Augusta, GA, Orlando and Seoul. There is no cigar smoker archetype.

Because we come in all shapes and sizes, our finances vary as well. For every comfortably wealthy customer, there are many who sit along the broad spectrum known as "the middle class." Some smoke an occasional cigar; others enjoy several a day. And, the amounts spent vary. A cigar smoker who spends $8 a day on his stick spends less than a pack-a-day cigarette smoker (we're talking New York prices, because that's my frame of reference). So, if you buy into the all-cigarette-smokers-are-low-income stereotype, cigar smoking among the middle class is proportionately less expensive than cigarette smoking – in fact, substantially less expensive.

Of course, the price of admission varies. I've seen homeless people walk into a cigar shop and spend $2 on a cigar and investment bankers drop thousands of dollars on Opus X boxes. You can spend as much or as little as you like. Though your ability to consume higher-priced cigars can play a role in what you ultimately light, taste is a factor, too. Members of the financial elite who enjoy cigars that cost between $8 and $10 are happier than they would be spending $30 or more on a label.

While it's easy to dismiss the cigar culture as the domain of the super-wealthy, the reality is that many view this world as accessible luxury. There is nothing quite like sitting back with your preferred cigar, lighting it carefully and puffing serenely for an hour or two. You leave the pressures of the office behind for a while and enjoy the taste, along with a social scene if you frequent a neighborhood shop.

You'll find that cigar smokers can be an incredibly tolerant bunch. Just don't come in and complain about the smell, seriously. When you walk into a cigar shop, you should have certain expectations.

[Photo by Steve Zak]

Tags: cigar, cigar shop, cigars, CigarShop, smoke, smoker, smokers, smoking

Filed under: Cigars

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

David Apr 3rd 2009 11:19AM

May I respectfully ask why cigars are viewed as a luxury? I don't see them as any more of a luxury item than chewing tobacco or chewing gum.

William Apr 3rd 2009 12:25PM

It's more about the image of success & wealth, than a luxury. Anyone, including hobos, can afford cigars. The reason it has the image of luxury is because people always think of the average cigar smoker as someone who has a large amount of disposable income, due to the media and the fact that he could be smoking cigarettes instead.

Think about it, even the cheapest european luxury car will always be seen as more luxurious than a fully loaded Dodge that costs 5 times as much. It's not the price of the car/cigar... its the image from what the public considers as the average user.

If one day the media started to associate wealthy & successful people with coconut doughnuts, I guarantee that coconut doughnuts would be then seen as a luxury.

shieldsbrown Apr 3rd 2009 12:25PM

David, I admire your respectfulness but can't bring myself to emulate it. Cigars are just repulsive. Smokers, don't kid yourselves, the rest of the world can't stand the stench. Why do you think you're being hounded out of restaurants and bars and clubs!? No, sorry, it doesn't make you look all rebel and rakish and successful. Also, you're just begging for mouth cancer.

el chefe Apr 3rd 2009 12:37PM

RE to shields....

A typical stupid ignorant rant about the "hate" of cigar smokers....

You shields... are not the "rest of the world" so STFU about what the world hates..

Cigars are by far the most misunderstood articles of luxury in the world ,as such they are for some and not for all.

Let the shield.....`s of the world rejoice in their ignorance while we smoke a Habano while drinking a Mojito.

shieldsbrown Apr 3rd 2009 1:25PM

Thanks for the abuse, El Chefe. Always nice to know one's opinion will be respected here at Luxist.

Jimmy Hines Apr 3rd 2009 2:19PM

Sorry sheilds, your post goes further than just an "opinion". You deserve NO respect. My opinion is that you're a shithead, an ignorant one @ that.

shieldsbrown Apr 3rd 2009 2:35PM

You're right, I did go beyond the boundaries of respect, but not as badly as you and e.c.. And smoking in any form still smells bad and makes you sick.

David Apr 3rd 2009 3:56PM

Oh dear! I personally find cigars repulsive and always have...even being a former smoker. However I know of many people who do like smoking them and, while I don't fault them for it, I do try to avoid them when they're blazing up as I don't find the smell pleasant at all.

Two things come to mind...different stripes and strokes for different types of folks...and...there's a time and place for everything.

Peace to all.

hey dude7 Apr 3rd 2009 5:22PM

shield...`s is a tool.

Respect? pls....

el chefe went light on you ,you deserve much more...

David here is a person with a valid opinion,he does not like the smell,that is HIS opinion and he does not represent the world, see......? pretty EZ 2 Me.

Jon Apr 13th 2009 3:59PM

Luxury/penalty taxes of this sort are about unfair as it gets. This isn't a 150k car or 500k yacht we are talking about here but a small indulgence for the average person who CHOOSES to partake. I agree with the article and find that a wide range of socioeconomic groups do indeed choose to smoke cigars. So taxing these things hit the lower income groups much harder than the rich groups they supposedly target.

And people who are all for these taxes because they don't smoke be careful what you wish for. If and when they lose tax revenues from these taxes and/or they feel they need more taxes than these can provide, watch out. Next time they may come after something you enjoy or are passionate about.

The fix for all this ""smoking in public places" is so easy the tax inventors don't want you know or understand it. It's as simple as spending the money to separate and/or ventilate space so no secondhand smoke ever gets to someone who doesn't want to be exposed to it. It's can easily be done in the majority of public commercial spaces out there. That is a fact.

Be aware! Big brother is lurking out there considering the taxation or removal something you may enjoy. Wake up and smell what you're asking for!