Feb 10, 2026
Last Modified: Feb 10, 2026
Cigar smoking can be a delightful, social experience. Once you’ve lit a cigar, you can do a lot more than just share anecdotes. You can also perform a few cigar smoke tricks…
These are just what they sound like. They’re tricks performed with cigar smoke. It’s easy to underestimate how many clever visual effects you can achieve just with this smoke.
Though there’s a real artistry to the best smoke tricks, many remain super-simple to do. So, you can start with beginner-friendly options before working your way up. Impressing your mates is very much a matter of ‘easy once you know how’, as this article will show you…
What You Need to Perform Cigar Smoke Tricks
Once you know how to smoke a cigar, you can start thinking about cigar smoke tricks. To perform them both effectively and safely, however, you need a few things:
- The Right Cigar: It’s possible to pull off cool smoking tricks with pretty much any premium cigar. Some tricks, though, are even better with particular types of stogies, which this guide will cover.
- A Non-Drafty Space: It’s not ideal to attempt cigar smoke tricks in a windy area. That’s because the breeze can send your smoke drifting far from where you want it to be.
- Tools and Accessories: In some instances, you need more than just a lighter and cutter. Some cigar smoke tricks depend on extra tools, as we’ll discuss below.
Basic Cigar Smoke Tricks
We’ve classed these tricks as ‘basic’ due to their simplicity. The instructions are relatively brief and easy to follow. Practice these cigar smoke tricks in the mirror before giving your friends a show.
The O (Smoke Ring) Trick
You might have assumed this was only possible in cartoons. But blowing smoke rings is actually among the best-known cigar smoke tricks.
When puffing the cigar, draw the smoke to the base of your tongue. Now form an ‘O’ shape with your lips. Pop your throat to release just a little burst of smoke from your mouth.
If you get this all right, the smoke will come out in a ring shape. Don’t worry if you struggle at first, as it can take some practice.
The Heartbreaker Trick
One of the most popular is a heart (of course!). Once you’re adept at producing smoke rings, it’s easy to add a romantic flourish.
Just after releasing a smoke ring, gently exhale toward the top of it. If you’re on target, you’ll slightly distort that part of the ring, creating a heart shape. Imagining doing this trick for a significant other…
Blowing Smoke Bubbles
Pour water into a small dish before mixing in a squirt of dishwashing soap. Hopefully, you’ll now have lots of bubbly water!
The next step is to dip one end of a straw into this liquid while you take a big puff of your cigar. Now you’re ready to exhale the smoke! Before you do, though, pick up the straw and bring its dry end to your lips.
Now exhale through this straw. At the other end, a visually enchanting ‘smoke bubble’ will emerge. The larger the amount of smoke you release at once, the bigger the bubble that appears.
Advanced Cigar Smoke Tricks
These are best to turn to once you’ve mastered the beginner-level tricks. It can take longer to learn how to do the smoke tricks featured below. But the extra time you invest can pay off massively, resulting in more dropped jaws among your friends!
The Tornado
This looks as impressive as it sounds. After taking a draw, slowly exhale the smoke onto a large, flat surface, like a table. Ideally, you want a stogie capable of producing especially thick smoke. Many fuller-bodied sticks would fit the bill, like Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills…
Next, drag your fingertips through the built-up smoke before flicking your wrist up. That way, the smoke will hopefully billow up like a mini tornado. It’s quite the spectacle to see in your humble cigar lounge!
Retrohaling
When you smoke cigars the traditional way, your tongue can pick up bitter, sweet, and sour notes. However, there remain other, more nuanced flavors your nose is better at detecting.
Hence the appeal of retrohaling. This is basically where you exhale the smoke through your nose. This enables you to discern more of the cigar’s flavor profile.
Oh, and retrohaling looks pretty cool, too. Nonetheless, it can take time to learn how to retrohale effectively. It’s also recommended not to retrohale on every puff. Avoid doing it more than once every three to five puffs. It’s best to stick to mild cigars for this one too.
Dragon Breath
Once you’ve become adept at retrohaling, you can try the ‘dragon breath’ technique. This is basically where you blow smoke through the nose and mouth simultaneously.
In the process, keep just the middle of your lips shut. As a result, the smoke will escape from either side of your mouth. This effect, combined with the smoke blasting out of the nostrils, has a definite Smaug vibe.
Still, don’t be too forceful with how you push the air through your nose. Otherwise, the sensation can be overwhelming. Conversely, when you strike the right balance, the ‘dragon breath’ trick can feel as amazing as it looks.
Safety Considerations
Cigarette smokers and vapers can take advantage of cool smoking tricks. However, some of these entail inhaling the smoke. As such, they are not suitable for cigar users, as it is advised not to inhale cigar smoke.
When smoking indoors, keep the room well-ventilated. This will prevent smoke from lingering for too long after you’ve left. At the end of your smoking session, be careful to put out the cigar properly to avoid a fire hazard.
How We Can Elevate Your Cigar Smoke Tricks
Learning how to do smoke tricks is just the start. You also need the right stogies. In many instances, cigar smoke tricks can only be as good as the cigars you use for them.
That’s why you need to prioritize picking up premium stogies. Those in our stock have been chosen for their rich, luxurious flavor profiles. They also give you plenty of smoke to play with.
So, you can enjoy not only a flavorful smoke but also a visually stunning one. Buy from Swiss Cuban Cigars today, and look forward to hearing your pals gasp with awe.
