Quick Answer: Are you supposed to inhale black and milds?

No. Black & Milds, like other cigars, are meant to be puffed and tasted, not inhaled. Some people do inhale cigarillos, but inhaling is harsh and raises health risks, and not inhaling doesn't make cigars safe. The rest of cigar etiquette is simple: ask before lighting up, let the ash fall naturally, and don't rush.

Cigar etiquette gets a reputation for being stuffy, but most of it is plain good manners with a few cigar-specific quirks. The most common question people ask is also the first one worth settling: do you inhale?

This guide is written for adults of legal smoking age. We'll answer the inhaling question first, including what it means for Black & Milds, then run through the etiquette basics for lighting, ashing, sharing, and handling someone else's humidor.

Are You Supposed to Inhale Black and Milds?

No, you're not supposed to inhale Black & Milds. They're cigars, and like other cigars they're meant to be puffed and tasted, not drawn into the lungs. They're also a bit of a special case: Black & Mild is classed as a cigarillo, a small, mild-tasting cigar, and public-health sources note that most cigar smokers don't inhale, but some people do inhale cigarillos and little cigars. That habit is where the confusion comes from.

The reason cigar smokers don't inhale comes down to chemistry. Cigar smoke is mostly alkaline, which means the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of your mouth without the smoke ever reaching your lungs, according to the National Cancer Institute. In a large American Cancer Society study the NCI cites, more than three in four men who smoked cigars said they did not inhale. Inhaling mostly adds harshness, coughing, and exposure, not flavor, since there are no taste buds in your lungs.

What Are the Health Risks of Inhaling Cigar Smoke?

Inhaling cigar smoke raises health risks, and not inhaling does not make cigars safe. Here's what the public-health agencies say:

Cancer risk: cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and lung, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Inhaling raises the risk: the risk of lung cancer increases with how much smoke is inhaled and how many cigars are smoked.
Not inhaling isn't a free pass: the CDC says cigar smokers are exposed to nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals even if they report they don't inhale.
Cigarillos aren't a lighter option: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says cigarillo smoking exposes users to similar cancer-causing substances and at least as much carbon monoxide as cigarette smoking.
Nicotine still counts: nicotine absorbed through the mouth can lead to dependence, even if you never inhale.

If you'd like to cut back or quit, free help is available at Smokefree.gov and through 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

How to Smoke a Cigar Without Inhaling

To smoke a cigar without inhaling, draw the smoke into your mouth, hold it briefly to taste it, then release it. It's the same idea for a premium cigar or a Black & Mild. Follow these steps:

Draw gently. Pull the smoke into your mouth only, the way you'd sip a hot drink.
Hold it for a moment. Let the smoke sit on your tongue so you can taste it.
Release it slowly. Let the smoke drift out rather than pulling it down.
Pace yourself. Many enthusiasts suggest a puff every 30 to 60 seconds, so the cigar stays cool and the flavor stays smooth.

Chain-puffing makes any cigar hot and harsh, so slower is better.

The Basics of Cigar Etiquette

Cigar etiquette comes down to a handful of habits that keep things pleasant for you and everyone around you. These are the ones that matter most:

Ask before lighting up: check that the people around you are fine with smoke, and use designated areas or outdoor spaces where smoking is allowed.
Mind the people around you: stay away from non-smokers, children, and shared food and drink, since cigar smoke lingers.
Use a clean light: a butane torch, a match, or a cedar spill is preferred, because lighter fluid can leave an unpleasant taste on the cigar.
Let the ash fall naturally: tap the ash into an ashtray when it gets long rather than flicking it constantly.
Let it go out on its own: set the cigar down in the ashtray and let it die naturally rather than grinding it out.
Don't rush: a cigar is meant to be slow, so avoid chain-puffing and let it burn at its own pace.
Take your time with the band: removing the band is a personal choice, so do what you like, but be gentle so you don't tear the wrapper.
Keep your hands and tools clean: especially if you're offering a cutter or lighter to someone else.

How to Offer and Share Cigars

When you're the host, offer a cigar, don't assume, and give your guest everything they need to enjoy it. Keep a cutter and a clean lighter on hand, offer a choice if you have one, and never pass a lit cigar around, since each cigar is for one person. It also helps if the cigars are in good shape: one that's been kept properly in a well-seasoned humidor lights and tastes the way it should. If you're setting one up, start with how to season a new humidor, and if you're after a display piece for the job, The Humidor holds up to 50 cigars.

Etiquette for Handling Someone Else's Humidor

When you're a guest, ask before opening someone else's humidor, and keep the lid open only as long as you need. Humidors work by holding a steady humidity, so every second the lid is up lets conditioned air escape. Let the owner pick the cigar for you if they'd like to, take only the one you're offered, and don't handle cigars you aren't taking. A quick, careful look is polite. A long browse is not.

Cigar Etiquette Dos and Don'ts

The simplest way to remember cigar etiquette is a short list of dos and don'ts:

Do	Don't
Ask before lighting up	Smoke near non-smokers, children, or food
Puff and taste the smoke	Inhale it into your lungs
Use a butane torch, match, or cedar spill	Use fuel-based lighters that can taint the flavor
Let the ash fall naturally	Flick it constantly
Let the cigar go out on its own	Grind it out in the ashtray
Ask before opening someone's humidor	Leave the lid open or browse for long
Offer a cutter and a clean light	Pass a lit cigar around

Bonus Tip!

Looking for a gift for the cigar lover in your life? See our best man gift ideas for a few that go beyond the usual.

Key Takeaways

1 You're not supposed to inhale Black & Milds or other cigars. They're meant to be puffed and tasted.
2 Black & Mild is classed as a cigarillo, and some people do inhale cigarillos, but inhaling raises health risks.
3 Not inhaling doesn't make cigars safe, since the mouth and throat are still exposed.
4 Good etiquette is mostly good manners: ask first, use a clean light, let the ash fall, and don't rush.
5 As a guest, ask before opening someone's humidor and keep the lid open only briefly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you inhale Black and Milds?

You're not supposed to. Black & Milds are cigarillos, a type of cigar, and cigars are meant to be puffed and tasted, not inhaled. Some people do inhale them, but doing so increases health risks.

Why don't you inhale cigars?

Cigar smoke is mostly alkaline, so nicotine is absorbed through the mouth without inhaling. Inhaling is also harsh, often triggers coughing, and adds exposure without adding flavor.

Is it safe to smoke a cigar if I don't inhale?

No tobacco use is risk-free. Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus even if you don't inhale, according to the CDC and National Cancer Institute.

How often should I puff on a cigar?

Many enthusiasts suggest about one puff every 30 to 60 seconds. Puffing too often makes the cigar burn hot and taste harsh.

Is it rude to ask for a cigar?

It's better to wait to be offered one. If you'd like to try one, you can mention you're curious, and let the host decide whether to share.

Should I take the band off my cigar?

It's a personal choice. Many people remove it once the cigar is lit and the band loosens, but there's no rule, so just be careful not to tear the wrapper.

Cigar Etiquette 101: Everything You Need to Know