1 FIRST OF ALL, TAKE OFF THE BAND.
Etiquette dictates that it should be removed before smoking. After all, it is somewhat vulgar to let everyone around you know that your cigar is better than his or hers. This applies everywhere in the world except in the U.S., where leaving it on is acceptable. We’re saying nothing…

2 IF YOU’RE USING A MATCH TO LIGHT IT, LET THE SULFUR BURN OFF FIRST.
Don’t use a petrol lighter because it will affect the taste. Connoisseurs recommend lighting a piece of cedar wood and using that to get your cigar going. The best cigar bars will provide this for you.

3 HOLD THE CIGAR HORIZONTALLY IN CONTACT WITH THE FLAME.
Rotate the flame around the foot of the end until it starts to burn, then puff lightly. Try to ensure it’s burning evenly. After lighting, allow it to cool down for about a minute. A cigar that’s too hot can sometimes taste bitter.

4 DON’T CLASP IT AS IF IT WERE MERELY A CIGARETTE.
Hold it instead between your second and third fingers, resting the cigar on your third finger. And don’t rush things, you’re not trying to sneak in a crafty smoke behind the bike sheds; you should take about a puff every 30 seconds to a minute.

5 WHEN SMOKING, REMEMBER BILL CLINTON.
No we don’t suggest doing that with your cigar (that would be a waste) we mean don’t inhale. And do your best to avoid swallowing any of the residue of a tobacco product; it will probably make you feel ill.

6 IF YOUR CIGAR STARTS TO BURN UNEVENLY…
…turn the slowest burning part towards the floor while holding it. There is more oxygen at the bottom of a cigar as the exhaust is at the top. Alternatively, hold the slowest burning part over a flame – without letting it actually touch the flame – to get the wrapper burning again.

7 LET YOUR ASH GROW LONG.
Essentially, it should fall on its own. Long ash helps cool the cigar as it creates an air block, which in turn cools the smoke.

8 ENSURE IT KEEPS GOING.
Unlike a cigarette, if you leave it too long it will go out. This means you’ll have to start all over again and like marriage, cigars rarely taste as exciting the second time around. If it does go out, knock any burnt ash from the end and start the lighting process from the beginning.

9 WHEN THERE’S ABOUT TWO INCHES LEFT.
It will let off too much heat and leave an aftertaste in your mouth. It’s time to put it out. Let it stop burning by itself inside the ashtray. You can smoke a cigar until two hours after you put it out .

10 FINALLY…
…no matter how tempting, don’t hold it in your teeth while grinning and declare how much you ‘love it when a plan comes together’. Your fellow smokers will only pity the fool.

For Abu Dhabi Guide – for original PDF click here – Smoking cigar guide