To light a cigar, hold the foot just above a flame without touching it, rotate it until the whole end is glowing evenly, then draw gently while turning the cigar to finish the light. This White Birch Post guide covers what to light with, the toasting step, and how to fix an uneven burn.
What should you use to light a cigar?
A butane lighter. Butane burns clean and doesn't leave residue on the tobacco. A single or double jet "torch" lighter is quick and works outdoors; a soft-flame butane lighter is gentler and gives you more control.
Wooden matches. Long wooden matches are the traditional choice. Strike the match and wait a moment for the head to burn down before bringing it to the cigar, so you're lighting with the wood flame rather than the match-head chemicals.
Cedar strips. Some people light a thin strip of cedar (called a spill) from a match and use that as the flame. It's the same idea as a wooden match, with a larger, longer-lasting flame.
What to avoid. Fluid lighters that burn naphtha or lighter fluid, paper matches and candles all give off fumes or soot that end up in the tobacco. They'll work, but most cigar smokers avoid them.
Do you need to cut the cigar first?
Usually, yes. Most full cigars are sealed at the head with a cap that has to be opened before you light. Tipped cigarillos and many machine-made cigars come ready to smoke. If yours has a cap, start with our guide on how to cut a cigar.
How do you light a cigar step by step?
1. Toast the foot
Hold the cigar at about a 45-degree angle with the foot (the open end) just above the tip of the flame — close enough to heat it, not touching it. Slowly rotate the cigar so the whole surface of the foot warms evenly. You'll see the edge start to darken and glow.
Toasting first means the tobacco catches evenly when you draw, rather than burning in a ring or down one side.
2. Light while drawing
Bring the cigar to your mouth and hold the flame just under the foot. Take slow, gentle draws while rotating the cigar, so the flame is pulled into the tobacco from all sides. Don't jam the foot into the flame.
3. Check the foot
Take the cigar out of your mouth and look at the foot. You want an even glowing ring across the whole end. If one side is dark, gently blow on the foot — the unlit part will show up — and touch the flame to just that spot.
4. Settle in
A cigar doesn't need constant puffing. A draw every minute or so keeps it lit. Drawing too often makes it burn hot and fast.
Why is my cigar burning unevenly?
An uneven burn — where one side burns faster than the other, often called "canoeing" or "running" — has a few common causes:
- Uneven lighting. The most common cause. Fix it by touching the flame to the side that's lagging.
- Holding it the same way. If the same side always faces down or into the wind, it can burn faster. Rotate the cigar now and then.
- Moisture problems. A cigar that's too dry burns fast; one that's too moist can struggle to stay lit. See how to store tobacco for keeping cigars at steady humidity.
- Wind. Outdoors, a breeze can push the burn to one side. Shield it or turn your back to the wind.
Do cigarillos light the same way?
Mostly, yes, but quicker. Cigarillos are thinner, so toasting takes a few seconds and they catch almost immediately. A regular lighter or match works fine. Tipped cigarillos don't need cutting. Our cigarillo vs little cigar explainer covers the different small formats, and cigars vs cigarillos explains how they're built differently from full cigars.
What if the cigar goes out?
It happens, and it's normal. Cigars aren't treated to keep burning the way cigarettes are, so if you set one down for a few minutes, it may go out. You can relight it — see our guide on how to relight a cigar.
Is cigar smoke inhaled?
Traditionally, no. Cigar smoke is usually drawn into the mouth rather than inhaled into the lungs. That doesn't make cigars safe: cigar smoking carries serious health risks, including cancers of the mouth, throat and lungs, and second-hand cigar smoke is harmful to people around you.
A few safety notes
- Use an ashtray built for cigars. Cigar ash is heavy and a cigar set down on an edge can roll off.
- Never leave a lit cigar unattended, and make sure it's fully out before you leave it.
- Keep lighters, matches and tobacco out of reach of children and pets.
- Check local rules. Ontario's Smoke-Free Ontario Act bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, and many municipalities add their own outdoor restrictions.
The bottom line
Use a clean flame, toast the foot evenly before you draw, then light while rotating and check that the whole end is glowing. Touch up any dark spots, draw slowly, and don't worry if it goes out — it can be relit. Browse the current range in our Cigars section.
White Birch Post sells to adults 19 and over only. Smoking is harmful to your health. If you're thinking about cutting back or quitting, our responsible use page lists free Canadian support services.