September 2020 - Cigar Life Guy

101 of the Best Cigar Quotes From Alfred to Zino — Part 4

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Staff

Are you ready for the final part in our four-part series of top cigar quotes? We’re taking you on a tour of cigar enthusiasts from Alfred to Zino. So, get ready for even more great cigar quotes.

If you’re reading this, then, chances are you’ve already read the previous posts in our four-part series of the best cigar quotes ever. But, if you need to catch up, we’ll drop the links below. For now, it’s time to resume your journey.

Now, on to more cigar quotes. Coming to you from Cigar Life Guy™, here are the next 26 quotes we have lined up for you. In this finale, we’re beginning with another literary approach on the leaf. We’re starting you off with a great quote from American poet, Robert Frost. Then, we’ll have you smoking through a fine quote from Zino Davidoff, himself. So, grab your stick, kick back, and read on.

And now, for the grand finale of our top cigar quotes

#1 “The difference between a man and his valet: they both smoke the same cigars, but only one pays for them.” — Robert Frost

#2 “I would rather smoke one cigar than hear two sermons.” — Robert Green Ingersoll

#3 “Lastly (and this is, perhaps, the golden rule), no woman should marry a man who does not smoke.” — Robert Louis Stevenson

#4 “Some people meditate; I smoke cigars.” — Ron Pearlman

#5 “I’ve got a great cigar collection – it’s actually not a collection, because that would imply I wasn’t going to smoke every last one of ’em.” — Ron White

#6 “A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke.” — Rudyard Kipling

#7 “A woman is just a script, but a cigar is a motion picture.” — Samuel Fuller

#8 “Cigars served me for precisely fifty years as protection and a weapon in the combat of life… I owe to the cigar a great intensification of my capacity to work and a facilitation of my self-control.” — Sigmund Freud

#9 “My boy! Smoking is one of the greatest and cheapest enjoyments in life, and if you decide in advance not to smoke, I can only feel sorry for you.” — Sigmund Freud

#10 “On a cold winter morning a cigar fortifies the soul.” — Stendhal

#11 “Sometimes a cigar is just a smoke and a coincidence is just a coincidence.” — Stephen King

#12 “A handmade cigar is a rebellion against frenzy and insanity; it means supporting contemplation over rash impulse, and represents a civilized revolution.” — Steve Worthington

#13 “I believe that a good cigar, a glass of wine and a good conversation is as close to euphoria as you can get in a legal sense.” — Sylvester Stallone

#14 “You better take advantage of the good cigars. You don’t get much else in that job.” — Thomas “Tip” O’Neill (referring to being Vice President)

#15 “I never can understand how anyone can not smoke. It deprives a man of the best part of life. With a good cigar in his mouth, a man is perfectly safe, nothing can touch him, literally.” — Thomas Mann

#16 “Break windows, smoke cigars, and stay up late. Tell ’em to do that, they’ll find a little pot of gold.” — Tom Waits

#17 “Cheap cigars come in handy; they stifle the odor of cheap politicians.” — Ulysses S. Grant

#18 “I’m too young to consider myself a connoisseur. I just enjoy smoking cigars.” — Usher

#19 “Tobacco is the plant that converts thoughts into dreams.” — Victor Hugo

#20 “I never smoked a cigar in my life until I was nine.” — W. C. Fields

#21 “Our country has plenty of five-cent cigars, but the trouble is they charge fifteen cents for them.
” — Will Rogers

#22 “No cigar-smoker ever committed suicide.” — William Maginn (1855)

#23 “If your wife doesn’t like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.” — Zino Davidoff

Bonus Top Cigar Quotes

Before we say good-bye, we couldn’t resist throwing in a few extra top cigar quotes. So, we’ve curated a couple of Churchills. No, not the sticks. Although, we’d gladly smoke a couple of those with you, too. We’re talking about their namesake — Winston Churchill, a man who was serious about his smokes. And, we love Zino so much, we had to throw in one more because … why not? So, here they are.

#24 “My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars.” — Winston Churchill

#25 “Smoking Cigars is like falling in love. First, you are attracted by its shape; you stay for its flavor, and you must always remember never, never to let the flame go out!” — Winston Churchill

#26 “A cigar ought not to be smoked solely with the mouth, but with the hand, the eyes, and with the spirit.” — Zino Davidoff

Well, there you have it. Finally, we have come to the end of our list — the final part of our four-part series for your reading pleasure. We hope you enjoyed these top cigar quotes brought to you by Cigar Life Guy™ as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you.

Want to look back at Our Cigar Quote Series?

Yes, this is the end. But, we don’t want to leave you hanging in a trail of smoke if you haven’t had a chance to read the first three parts of this series. So, if this is your first time reading our carefully curated quotes, be sure to check out our previous posts, which we happen to think are the best spoken words of men and women of the leaf. Here’s a breakdown of what we covered.

Part One starts you off with Aldous Huxley. Huxley was an English writer best known for the dystopian novel, “Brave New World” back in 1932. But, the man also adored great smokes.

Part Two has you smoking with Frank Sinatra. And, rumor has it that Sinatra couldn’t resist a good De Nobili. Smoke on and smoke well, Frank.

Finally, Part Three begins with Kelsey Grammer, who played Dr. Frasier on “Cheers.” Grammar is known for his love of Davidoff sticks and we can’t fault him for that because we don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a good Davidoff now and then. From there, part three takes you all the way through to Rick Pitino, currently the head basketball coach for Iona College in New York. Rumor has it, Pitino favors the Partagas 150 Signature Series.

Got an idea in mind for something more you’d like to read about or see in our blog? Then, drop us a line! We love hearing from our fans and fellow cigar enthusiasts.

101 of the Best Cigar Quotes From Alfred to Zino — Part 3

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Staff

Are you ready for more famous cigar quotes? We hope you’ve enjoyed the first two parts in our four-part series of the best cigar quotes ever. There are few things better than enjoying a great smoke and learning about the cigar lifestyle. So, it’s time to continue our journey through our third installment of some of the best cigar quotes ever. And they’re all carefully curated for your reading pleasure from the team here at Cigar Life Guy. So, you know you’re getting the good stuff.

Now, if you’re ready to continue your journey from Alfred to Zino, then grab your favorite stick and get ready for more cigar quotes. Here are the next 26 famous cigar quotes we couldn’t resist including. This time, we’re kicking it off with Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane from “Cheers.” So, without further ado, it’s time to light your favorite smoke and read on.

Famous Cigar Quotes, Take Three

#1 “There is nothing like a good cigar, and this is nothing like a good cigar.” — Kelsey Grammer as “Dr. Fraiser Crane” on “Cheers”

#2 “Gentlemen, you may smoke.” — King Edward VII

#3 “Throughout my life, cigars have played different roles for me. They fit easily and well in the various stages and experiences I’ve had — like a companion, almost. If you’ve smoked a long time, as I have, they become part of you.” — LeRoy Neiman

#4 “What is the difference between a $10 (cigar) and a $2 cigar? Eight bucks.” — Lou Rothman

#5 “It has always been my rule never to smoke when asleep, and never to refrain when awake.” — Mark Twain

#6 “No one can tell me what is a good cigar for me. I am the only judge. People who claim to know, say that I smoke the worst cigars in the world. They bring their own cigars when they come to my house.” — Mark Twain

#7 “Eating and sleeping are the only activities that should be allowed to interrupt a man’s enjoyment of his cigar.” — Mark Twain

#8 “If heaven has no cigars, I shall not go there.” — Mark Twain

#9 “I have made it a rule never to smoke more than one cigar at a time.” — Mark Twain

#10 “There’s a ritual about smoking a cigar that slows my clock down.” — Matthew McConaughey

#11 “No cigar or pipe smoking, except for Red Auerbach.” — the menu at Legal Seafood in Boston

#12 “Cigar smoking by its very nature is much more reflective than interactive.” — Michael Douglas

#13 “It is the most relaxing thing. Every time I get to a point where everything is coming at me, I would rather just sit back and smoke a cigar and relax.” — Michael Jordan

#14 “Well, grab a cigar, boys. Yeah. It’s time to celebrate.” — Michael Richards as “Kramer” on “Seinfeld”

#15 “Cigars solicit conversation. You see someone smoking a cigar and you feel instantly closer to them.” — Michael Stahan

#16 “Tobacco is the passion of honest men and he who lives without tobacco is not worthy of living.” — Moliere

#17 “Cigars force me to slow down and live in the present.” — Muata Onyemachi

#18 “My favorite cigar is a free cigar.” — Nelson Monteiro

#19 “Right now, we are technologically stressed, and people want to take a break from that stress and reward themselves with a great cigar.” — Nestor Andres Plascencia

#20 “Personally, I believe a rocking hammock, a good cigar, and a tall gin-and-tonic is the way to save the planet.” — P. J. O’Rourke

#21 “I’ll smoke anything anybody gives me.” — Peter Falk

#22 “Puffing on a good cigar just slows everything down and allows me to relax.” — Phil Jackson

#23 “A cigar is as good as memories that you have when you smoked it.” — Raul Julia

#24 “Why pay $100 on a therapy session when you can spend $25 on a cigar?” — Raul Julia

#25 “I am sure there are many things better than a good cigar, but right now, I can’t think of what they might be.” — Richard Carleton

#26 “Cigars are great tools for socializing and celebrating the good times. They also help you to reflect and relax during difficult ones.” — Rick Pitino

Did You Miss Our Previous Quotes?

Before you go, have you had a chance to read parts one and two of our cigar quote series? If not, we promise these are not something you’ll want to miss. So, we’re linking the first two parts below in case you want to go back and check them out.

Part One starts you off with Aldous Huxley, an English writer, and author who also loved a great cigar. Then, we dive into Part Two to get you smoking with ‘the man,” the legendary entertainer extraordinaire, Frank Sinatra.

When you’re ready for more, watch for our next and final post of this 101 of the best cigar quotes series. It’ll keep you smoking and appreciating the span of cigar lifestyle from famous cigar enthusiasts long into the evening.

101 of the Best Cigar Quotes From Alfred to Zino — Part 2

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Staff

Ready for more cigar quotes? We’re taking you on a tour of cigar enthusiasts from Alfred to Zino. So, if you’re reading this, chances are, you’ve already read the first post in our four-part series of the best cigar quotes ever. But, if you haven’t, then be sure to check it out. And, while you’re at it, be sure to let us know what you think.

Now, on to more cigar quotes. Coming to you from Cigar Life Guy™, here are the next 26 quotes. We’re starting you with Frank Sinatra. He was one of the most popular and influential entertainers of the 20th century and, like you, loved a great cigar. So, light your favorite smoke, and read on.

More Cigar Quotes for Everyone

#1 “Fresh air makes me throw up. I can’t handle it. I’d rather be around three Denobili cigars blowing in my face all night.” — Frank Sinatra

#2 “I don’t trust air I can’t see.” — Gene Hackman in Crimson Tide, smoking on a submarine

#3 “A wild and crazy weekend involves sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigar, and reading a book.” — General Robert M. Gates

#4 “I smoke cigars because at my age if I don’t have something to hang on to I might fall down.” — George Burns

#5 “If I had taken my doctor’s advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn’t have lived to go to his funeral.” — George Burns

#6 “I also smoke when I’m by myself and it makes me feel like I’m not by myself. If you have a cigar, it’s like a little bit of company.” — George Lopez

#7 “The cigar is the perfect complement to an elegant lifestyle.” — George Sand

#8 “A cigar numbs sorrow and fills the solitary hours with a million gracious images.” — George Sand

#9 “If you can’t send money, send tobacco.” — George Washington

#10 “Given the choice between a woman and a cigar, I will always choose the cigar.” — Groucho Marx

#11 “A woman is an occasional pleasure but a cigar is always a smoke.” — Groucho Marx

#12 “A good smoker, like a good lover, always takes his time with a cigar.” — Guillermo Cabrera Infante

#13 “There are no ugly cigars, only ugly smokers.” — H. L. Mencken

#14 “What I like most about cigars is simply sitting and talking with other men… Some of the best conversations I’ve ever had with men have been over a cigar.” — James Belushi

#15 “Aficionado my ass…I just love to smoke cigars.” — James Woods

#16 “A good cigar is like a beautiful chick with a great body who also knows the American League box scores.” — Jamie Farr as “Klinger” on M*A*S*H

#17 “A cigar is like a gift you give yourself.” — Jay-Z

#18 “A cigar lets me slow it down every now and then. I can reflect on what’s important.” — Jennifer Lopez

#19 “Only fine cigars are worth smoking and only men who smoke fine cigars are worth kissing.” — Joan Collins

#20 “There are two things a man never forgets – his first love and his first cigar.” — John Bain

#21 “I need a lot of cigars… About 1,000 Petit Upmanns.” — John F Kennedy, before signing the Cuban embargo

#22 “By the cigars they smoke, and the composers they love, ye shall know the texture of men’s souls.” — John Galsworthy

#23 “Let’s fire up a cigar and go for a walk.” — John Grisham

#24 “I love to smoke. I wish I had more than two hands so I can hold more cigars.” — Johnny Depp

#25 “Do not ask me to describe the charms of reverie, or the contemplative ecstasy into which the smoke of our cigar plunges us.” — Jules Sandea

#26 “As soon as I lit that cigar up, the pressure that I was feeling disappeared.” — Karl Malone

Want more of Cigar Life Guy?

Now that you’ve finished reading part two, be sure to watch for parts three and four in our series of cigar quotes. Want even more of Cigar Life Guy? Then click on over to social media and connect with us. You’ll find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And, we love hearing from you. So, feel free to drop us a line, a comment, or a tweet.

Funny how? Joe Pesci Loves His Big Cigars

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Staff

In Hollywood, some people are either characters or character actors. Joe Pesci is the embodiment of both. Joe Pesci has had the unique ability to infuse every role with his inimitable style, often stealing the scenes. He appeared in some of the greatest Hollywood blockbusters throughout the years. Smoking big cigars to relax and stay focused is his way of life. But it’s also part of the cigar lifestyle we know and love.

The Little Big Man Likes a Big Cigar

Joe Pesci embodies the rags-to-riches story that is part of Hollywood lore. He initially went to Hollywood in the early seventies with dreams of becoming an actor. Then, in a tirade that would be typical of some of the characters he has portrayed, he was thrown out of a casting office by the producer and director, who told him never to return.

The Little Big Man Gets a Big Break

That bold attitude led Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to notice him. Back then, Pesci was a singing waiter in a Bronx restaurant. De Niro approached him during a smoke break and later introduced the Little Big Man to Martin Scorsese. Scorsese then chose him as De Niro’s brother and manager in “Raging Bull.” It became Pesci’s breakthrough role and the first time we see him smoking big cigars on screen.

Big Cigars are not Just Hollywood Props

Watch any Joe Pesci movie; chances are, you’ll see him smoking a big cigar. In “The Public Eye,” he played a hard-nosed reporter with a cigar practically glued to his face. His quintessential role became Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas.” Here, he enjoys cigars often and with a menacing effect.

Pesci and De Niro also enjoyed cigars on the set of “Casino.” They worked together in several films that included a legendary, well-stocked travel humidor packed with trophy Cubans available for the actors at all times. Over the years, De Niro has since given up on cigars. But Pesci continues to enjoy them frequently.

The best Supporting Actor is Smokin!

Joe Pesci has portrayed iconic roles in movies ranging from comedic relief, such as that seen in “My Cousin Vinnie” or “Home Alone,” to an intense gangster, such as his roles in “Casino,” “Goodfellas,” and “The Irishman.” Pesci’s work ethic has been as bold and intense as his real life. But that ethic paid off with a best supporting Oscar for “Goodfellas.” In a famous interview on the “David Letterman Show,” Pesci lit up a cigar on stage while talking about the movie. He did it again with Greg Kinnear on his show, and fellow cigar enthusiast Kinnear joined him.

Golf, Big Cigars, and All That Jazz

Joe Pesci came out of retirement to film “The Irishman” and reunite with Scorsese and De Niro. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse. He prefers to spend his time focused on jazz and golf — two great loves that have allowed him to enjoy his third passion, big cigars. Pesci has never shied away from a big smoke, favoring enormous ringed Cubans like the Cohiba Siglo VI and the Partagas Series E Number 2.

Far from the Hollywood limelight, Pesci remains under the radar in New Jersey, where he frequents jazz lounges or golf courses with a unique humidor in his cart bag so he can share with other players. But, for a guy who made a career playing tough guys, Joe Pesci has a heart of gold.

Photo credit: “Joe Pesci—2009,” by Yausser, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY 2.0.

101 of the Best Cigar Quotes From Alfred to Zino – Part 1

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Staff

The Cigar Life Guy daily cigar quote on social media has received a fantastic response since it debuted in 2019. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Now, we’re pleased to present you with the first 26 quotes in our carefully curated, four-part series — 101 of the best cigar quotes of all time. By the time you’ve read the full series, you will have journeyed from A to Z through the list. Or, in our case from Alfred to Zino.

Cigar Quotes for Every Smoker

There truly is something here for every smoker. We’ve created a purposefully diverse list of the best cigar quotes around. So, there’s a little something for everyone. Some cigar quotes are deep. Some are sad. Yet, others are funny. You’ll find some delivered by fictional characters from the big or small screen. Some quotes are very old – from long-dead figures whom you may have to Google. Finally, others are iconic figures who require no introduction at all.

One theme, however, emerged more than others while we compiled this list. It came particularly from individuals reflecting on why they smoke. These quotes speak volumes about cigars offering relaxation, or a break, from the stresses of daily life. The words used vary and reflect the diversity of the speakers.

Quotes for Our Sisters of the Leaf

Here’s another note about the list (and this reflects some of the feedback from the series that has appeared on social media). Admittedly, some of these quotes are quite sexist. We made no attempt to change these quotes – words actually uttered by and attributed to historical figures. So, please consider the era (often many years ago) and the context (often meant as an attempt at humor) of each quote. One of the things Cigar Life Guy and the entire cigar community pride themselves on is our inclusiveness. We love our Sisters of the Leaf. Wherever a quote says “he,” silently allow your mind to insert “cigar smoker” instead.

With no further ado, it’s time to light up your favorite stick and ready a good beverage. Then, kick back and enjoy the first twenty-six best cigar quotes about our wonderful lifestyle.

#1 “You should hurry up and acquire the cigar habit. It’s one of the major happinesses. And so much more lasting than love, so much less costly in emotional wear and tear.” – Aldous Huxley

#2 “Any cigar smoker is a friend because I know how he feels.” – Alfred de Musset

#3 “They had no good cigars there, my Lord; I left the place in disgust.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

#4 “Of course it’s a good cigar Edith, it came in its own test tube.” – Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O’Connor)

#5 “I’ll use a cigar to pause before I jump to a conclusion.” – Armand Assante

#6 “I smoke every day!” – Arturo Sandoval

#7 “Close, Colonel, but no cigar!” – Barbara Stanwyck in “Annie Oakley”

#8 “When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters on the grill, get the ice-cold beer and the cigars – that’s heaven here.” – Bernie Mac

#9 “Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener.” – Billy Martin

#10 “Cigarettes are a habit; cigars are an event.” – Brad Paisley

#11 “After a truly good meal, an outstanding cigar is still the most satisfying after-dinner activity that doesn’t involve two human beings.” – Brad Shaw

#12 “The cigar business is a passion, a way of life.” – Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr.

#13 “Any man who doesn’t partake in cigar smoking is nothing more than a weak-willed, meandering oaf, and I would never put my lips to those of any creature, man or beast, whose lips were not fresh awash in the currents of cigar smoke.” – Catherine the Great

#14 “I only play golf to smoke cigars and drink.” – Charles Barkley

#15 “I like that smoking a cigar takes so long.” – Chris Pratt

#16 “I have never met a cigar smoker who wasn’t a man of quality.” – Christophe Navarre

#17 “My favorite cigar is the one I’m smoking right now.” – Dave Arlinghaus

#18 “When I stopped smoking cigars it was the biggest mistake I made in my life.” – David Letterman

#19 “There’s something about smoking a cigar that feels like a celebration. It’s like a fine wine. There’s a quality, workmanship, a passion that goes into the smoking of a fine cigar.” – Demi Moore

#20 “[Smoking a cigar] It’s like taking a luxurious bath instead of a quick shower.” – Denzel Washington

#21 “With a cigar like in life, you got to have some length, and some girth.” – DL Hughley

#22 “Life’s too short to drink bad wine or smoke poor cigars.” – Don Johnson

#23 “A good cigar is as great a comfort to a man as a good cry to a woman.” – Edward Bulwer-Lytton

#24 “I spend a lot of time in the rough. So having that cigar kind of makes golf a little easier.” – Emmitt Smith

#25 “The most futile and disastrous day seems well spent when it is reviewed through the blue, fragrant smoke of a Havana Cigar.” – Evelyn Waugh

#26 “A good Cuban cigar closes the doors to the vulgarities of the world.” – Frank Liszt

If you enjoyed reading this, then be sure to watch for parts two, three, and four as we continue our series of the best cigar quotes from A to Z.

Chris Pratt is a Guardian of the Cigars Galaxy!

Posted on September 15, 2020 by Staff

If there were a Hollywood blockbuster chronicling the rise of actors who began as waiters, Chris Pratt would have a starring role. But, instead, as a college dropout waiting tables in Hawaii, a director shooting a low-budget film discovered Pratt; This led to a featured position on “Everwood,” followed by “The O.C.” The rest, as they say, is cigars and Hollywood history.

Chris Pratt Makes the Leap to the Big Screen

His role as a lovable loser on Parks and Recreation showcased his comedic talents, and audiences lauded him for it. In addition, his range: the ability to play a SEAL Team member in Zero Dark Thirty, or a baseball player for the Oakland A’s, helped solidify him as leading man material. Once fellow cigar aficionado and Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn noticed, Chris Pratt entered the stratosphere.

Chris Pratt is a Super Hero

Getting himself into shape to play a Hollywood blockbuster superhero involved a vigorous exercise regimen and diet. As a former cigarette smoker, Pratt had to kick the habit, which caused weight fluctuations. However, while filming Guardians of the Galaxy in London with Gunn, Pratt discovered cigars, and a love affair blossomed. It started over small “breakfast” cigars by La Flor de Cano.

Cigars on the Set

Pratt occasionally smoked little cigars while filming, which was illegal. But, as the “star warrior” rebel, he promised to “put them out if the cops came.” Over the years, he developed a taste for a range of cigars. He counts Rocky Patel Vintage 1990 and Hoya de Monterrey Epicure No 2 among his favorites.

Pratt maintains a modest humidor of trophy cigars at his home in Washington state. Pratt loves cigars because they are a commitment and take time to enjoy. When smoking, he is either engaged in a conversation with someone or deep in thought. He prefers quality over quantity, so his cigars are always top-notch.

Chris Pratt Would Rather be Fishing

Having achieved status as one of Hollywood’s top leading men, Pratt recognizes how lucky and fleeting the experience can be. He used to believe being a successful actor meant having all his bills paid and never having to wait tables again. Instead, he could now spend his free time fishing. His dream would be to catch a world-record bass while enjoying a cigar. Better yet, he’d love his son to become a professional fisherman, and he would sponsor him.

Cigars and Fathers

Pratt sees being a father as his most important role ever. He has strict rules about smoking around his son. Pratt will let his son make his own choice and never force it on him. Much like his role in Guardians of the Galaxy 2, he understands the complications of father-son relationships. Mixing fishing and cigars with his son is a dream, but he doesn’t want to be a flawed role model either.

His manners and work ethic as a dad on the set make him one of the most sought-after actors. Pratt’s fellow actors know him for his generosity on the stage with cigars. Yet, he also engages in charitable work with children’s foundations, which he keeps under the radar so he can spend quality time with kids. For these reasons and more, Chris Pratt is a true superhero!

Photo Credit: “Chris Pratt speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International, for “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California (Cropped),” by Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 2.0.

Do Astronauts Smoke Cigars in Outer Space?

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Staff

An asteroid named Oumuamua that distinctly resembled a cigar captivated the scientific world. It even had a reddish glow on one end, which made it appear lit as it traveled through space. The design so baffled scientists and amateur astronomers that many believed it was an alien vehicle on cruise control. While Oumuamua is the first known voyager from another universe, it was not an alien vehicle. It also wasn’t a cigar, which begs the question, “Do astronauts smoke cigars in outer space?”

The Right Stuff

Outer space has enamored Hollywood since the days of silent films. Blockbusters like The Right Stuff and Apollo 13 gave tremendous insight into the astronauts’ tastes and exercise routines. In 1959, NASA prohibited the “Original Seven” astronauts from smoking cigars and cigarettes. While that ban may have applied to the astronauts, it never prevented the Mission Control team from lighting up celebratory cigars – especially in the case of the nearly doomed Apollo 13 mission!

Heroes Smoke Cigars

The astronauts from the space program’s early days remain legends today. The first American in outer space, Alan Shepard, loved cigars as did the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong. As the Cold War gathered steam, they adhered to a strict code; no Cuban cigars. However, when John Glenn completed the first Mercury orbital flight, he received his weight in Cuban cigars upon return.

The Space Race and Cigars

Just because astronauts can’t smoke cigars in space doesn’t mean they gave up cigars entirely. Many bring a trophy cigar to enjoy immediately upon splashdown. Cigar makers got into the space race as well. Alec Bradley was the first cigar maker to “officially” launch cigars into outer space. They attached 30 Alec Bradley Mundial cigars to a specially rigged weather balloon launched with the FAA’s blessing. They reached the stratosphere before plummeting to earth via parachute and immediately smoked in celebration!

Celebrating Dads in Outer Space

Randolph Bresnik became a father while stationed on the International Space Station. Videos surfaced of him “floating” cigars to his fellow astronauts while experiencing zero gravity.

The payloads for astronauts are scheduled down to the ounce to account for maximum capacity on long voyages. Still, Bresnik was given special clearance by NASA to celebrate the achievement. None of them lit up, as astronaut Wally Schirra once pointed out. The effects of the smoke and the trace chemicals in cigars are potentially corrosive. Aside from that, the enhanced oxygen atmosphere presents a significant fire risk and is incredibly dangerous!

To Smoke Cigars on Mars and Beyond

There has been discussion for decades about colonizing the moon and Mars. If cigar-loving astronauts have any say in the matter, one of the first buildings will be an exclusive cigar lounge! There are evident complications with smoking cigars in space due to the need for pure oxygen. Yet, there is one thing the Apollo 13 astronauts have taught us – difficult situations demand creative solutions!

Relations with Cuba are better than in the decades since the first astronauts went to outer space. So, it’s probably safe to assume that Cuban cocktails and cigars will eventually find their way to outer space!

Photo credit: “Neil A. Armstrong – Astronaut Edwin Eugene ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, Jr. on Moon (1969)” by luvi is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.