Cigarette Holders Actually Do Serve a Purpose

Many smokers consider a cigarette holder a fashion accessory but it also serves a practical purpose. Cigarette holders came into fashion in the early part of the 20th century when cigarettes were not filtered and individuals, especially women, didn’t want to have tobacco stains on their fingers. A cigarette holder, a tube designed to hold the cigarette at one end, enables the smoker to draw in smoke without lips or fingers touching the actual cigarette. It can be very simply designed using an economical plastic material or more ornate and stylish, created from bakelite, silver or other fine materials. Cigarette holders come in four lengths, cocktail length (up to 4 inches long), dinner length (up to 6 inches), theatre length (up to 14 inches) and the longest called the opera length (up to 20 inches).

In order to get the full benefit of using a cigarette holder, it’s important to learn the proper way to smoke a cigarette with a cigarette holder. First, make sure that there is no dirt or tobacco debris inside that would restrict air flow through the mouthpiece. A pipe cleaner is a good device for cleaning a cigarette holder prior to inserting the cigarette.

Firmly grasp the cigarette by the filter tip and insert it gently into the holder, twisting slightly so that it locks into place. Don’t try to cram, squeeze or otherwise force the filter end into the opening or you risk breaking the cigarette or pinching the filter so severely that you won’t be able to draw air through it to smoke.

Most smokers point the cigarette holder in a slightly upwards direction while smoking and are careful not to let any ash accumulate and fall on the ground. Don’t wave the holder around or you risk dislodging the lit cigarette. When finished smoking, stub out the butt and carefully twist the filter tip to remove it from the holder and dispose of the butt, being careful not to exert any pressure that would cause the tip to get stuck inside the holder.

Keep the cigarette holder safely stored away when not in use and out of the hands of pets or children because it is not a toy. At least once a week, use a pipe cleaner to clean the holder to make sure that any accumulated tar or other debris has been cleared away so that when you insert your next cigarette, you’ll get the pleasure of a smooth and satisfying draw.