Don’t be that guy. Learn what to do before you light up.

Smoking a cigar seems easy. Cut. Light. Puff. Relax. But the truth is, there are plenty of ways to mess it up.

New smokers make these mistakes all the time. Some are small. Others can ruin a cigar entirely. The good news? They’re all easy to fix once you know what to look for.

So if you’re new to cigars or just want to stop making common errors, here are the top ten mistakes to avoid. This is the guide that helps you skip the learning curve and smoke like you’ve been doing it for years.

Let’s get into it.

1. Cutting too much off the cap  

This is the most common mistake: not knowing how to cut your cigar.

Cut too deep and the cigar starts to unravel. Tobacco falls into your mouth. The draw becomes too loose. The whole thing feels off.

What you want to do is cut just above the shoulder. That’s the curved line where the cap begins to round off. You only need to take off a tiny sliver.

Use a sharp guillotine cutter or a punch. If you see loose bits of tobacco after cutting, you’ve probably gone too far.

2. Lighting it like a cigarette  

If you stick your cigar straight into the flame and puff like crazy, you’re doing it wrong.

This burns the foot unevenly and scorches the tobacco. You lose flavor before the cigar even gets going.

Instead, toast the foot gently. Hold the cigar just above the flame and rotate it. Once the edge is glowing, start puffing while you finish lighting.

Take your time. Lighting a cigar should feel like warming up a conversation, not starting a fire.

3. Puffing too fast  

Puff every few seconds, and the cigar will overheat. That leads to bitterness, harshness, and a shorter smoking time.

A good rhythm is one puff every 45 to 60 seconds. Slow, steady, and relaxed.

Let the cigar smolder. You’re not trying to finish it quickly. This is about flavor and pacing, not speed.

4. Starting with a cigar that’s too strong  

If you’re new to cigars, don’t grab the darkest, boldest stick on the shelf.

Full-bodied cigars can hit hard. You might feel dizzy, nauseous, or completely overwhelmed. That’s no fun.

Begin with something mild or medium. Connecticut wrappers are a great place to start. You’ll still get plenty of flavor but with less nicotine punch.

Work your way up as your palate adjusts.

5. Using the wrong lighter  

Bic lighters and scented candles are for birthday cakes. Not cigars.

Fuel from cheap lighters can affect the taste. Soft flames struggle in the wind and burn unevenly.

Your best option is a butane torch lighter. Clean flame. Even burn. Better control.

If you’re using matches, let the sulfur burn off first. Strike, wait a few seconds, then light.

6. Storing cigars the wrong way  

Too dry and your cigars crack. Too moist and they won’t burn right.

Cigars need to be stored in a humidor at around 65 to 70 percent humidity. Keep the temperature steady at 65 to 70 degrees.

A digital hygrometer makes it easy to track. A cheap setup can save your entire collection.

Avoid storing cigars in your fridge. It dries them out fast and ruins the flavor.

7. Tapping the ash too often  

Some smokers flick the ash every few puffs. Others let it hang until it looks like a dare.

Both are mistakes.

Too much ash and you block airflow. Too little and you risk an uneven burn.

Let the ash fall naturally or tap it off gently after about an inch. Keep things balanced and clean.

No one’s impressed by a four-inch ash. It’s a cigar, not a game of Jenga.

8. Inhaling the smoke  

Cigars are not meant to be inhaled. You don’t breathe them into your lungs like a cigarette.

If you do, you’re in for a rough time. Think coughing fits, lightheadedness, or worse.

Draw the smoke into your mouth. Taste it. Savor it. Then let it go.

The flavor stays with you. That’s the magic of an exceptional cigar.

9. Judging a cigar too quickly  

A cigar changes as it burns. What starts sharp might mellow into cream or cocoa. That pepper blast might shift into something richer.

Give it time. Smoke at least the first third before you make up your mind. Cigars are stories told in three acts. Don’t walk out before the plot develops.

Better yet, keep a cigar journal. You’ll start to notice patterns, discover favorites, and remember the cigars that hit the spot.

10. Putting the cigar out like a cigarette 

Don’t mash it in the tray. That’s for cigarettes.

When you’re done, set the cigar down in your ashtray and let it fade out on its own. It takes a minute or two and keeps the smell cleaner.

Want to relight later? Let it cool, tap off the ash, blow gently through the cigar, then toast the foot and take slow puffs.

Final tip: Enjoy the process  

Cigars are all about slowing down. Paying attention. Enjoying the ritual.

You do not have to be an expert. You just have to care enough to learn and avoid the most common slip-ups.

So if you’re new, save this list. Send it to a friend who just got their first humidor. Share it with someone who keeps lighting cigars like birthday candles.

And remember: If you’re sitting in a cigar lounge puffing away calmly, with your cigar lit right and cut clean, you’re already ahead of the game.

Now go enjoy that cigar. You’ve earned it.