CIGAR BANDS
					Sometimes people confuse Cigar bands and labels. Labels are the big pictures on boxes. Bands are the little pictures on the cigars. A lot has been written about the history, the theory, and the practice of Cigar bands. Some writers have suggested that bands were first put on Cigars so that the white gloves of a gentleman holding a Cigar were not stained by secretions from the tobacco leaf used as the wrapper. Well ...who knows? I think that the true purpose of a band is to identify the brand of Cigar so that you can remember what you have purchased once you have left the Cigar store. Some writers on Cigar etiquette suggest that you remove the Cigar band before lighting so as not to appear to be showing off if you have a Habano, or to not let the world know if you have an El Stinko. Forget what others might think about your Cigar, and worry only about the integrity of your wrapper. Many manufacturers put a little stickem on the bands so that they stay in place during shipping. If you try to take one of these off, you will tear your wrapper and cause a mortal wound to your Cigar. So, if the band does not fall off before lighting, leave it on, but stop smoking before the band burns. Also, you might want to save your bands for a collection, or to decorate objects such as you will see in this site.