Cigar Smoking Competition Rules

The cigar smoking competition is open to all adults, regardless of gender, race, religion, or nationality. To confirm participation, individuals must fill out the registration form provided by the organizers. This competition, known for its fair play and adherence to cigar competition rules, focuses on long cigar smoking as a cavalier discipline.

**Rule 1.**

All participants are assigned the same cigar, which they select from a designated box. If a cigar is found to be defective, competitors can exchange it for another. Each cigar will have a competition ring fixed (glued) at the same length.

**Rule 2.**

Participants will receive a cigar cutter and a box with two long matches. The competition table may only contain items supplied by the organizers; any additional equipment is prohibited during the competition. Each contestant has one (1) minute to prepare their cigar by cutting it. Cigars must be lit using one or two matches, based on the competitor's choice, only after the judge signals that lighting is permitted. The burning time is restricted to a maximum of one (1) minute, which is included in the total competition time. Extra preparation of the cigar is not allowed.

**Rule 3.**

During the competition, participants cannot perform additional lighting on their cigars. They must refrain from blowing into or through the cigar, or making it wet. For the first five minutes, no talking or drinking is allowed. Participants must keep their cigars in hand; placing them down is not permitted, and the cigars should remain visible at all times.

**Rule 4.**

Cigars must be smoked up to the competition ring. If the competition ring burns, the participant incurs a penalty of 15 minutes.

**Rule 5.**

The first instance of falling or shaking off the cigar ash results in penalty minutes, which are detailed as follows: 20 minutes for the first 10 minutes of the competition, 15 minutes for the first 20 minutes, 10 minutes for the first 25 minutes, 5 minutes for the first 30 minutes, 3 minutes for the first 35 minutes, and 1 minute for the first 40 minutes. Any placement of the cigar in an ashtray incurs a 10-minute penalty. Ring burning leads to a 15-minute penalty. After 40 minutes, participants are allowed to shake off ash without penalty, except in cases of ring burning. Retaining the cigar ash provides an advantage under the cigar smoking guidelines.

**Rule 6.**

Cigar smoking concludes when a participant lifts their number, signifying the end of their smoking time. This is applicable in two instances: when the cigar extinguishes unexpectedly or when smoking has reached the allowable limit at the ring. Following the end of smoking, participants must excuse themselves from the participant table.

**Judges**

The competition will be overseen by one or more judges.

Participants are responsible for reporting any falling or shaking off of ash, as well as when their cigar is extinguished or smoking has concluded. The judge reserves the right to publicly report any infractions regarding ash falling, ring burning, or placing the cigar on the ashtray.

Judges can disqualify participants who fail to comply with the rules or disrupt others. The Main judge will update the participants regarding timing—after the first minute and every ten (10) minutes afterward.

At the conclusion of the competition, judges will inspect the rings to ascertain if they have burned. The Main judge will compile the competition report, document the timing, and record any penalty minutes.

The winner of the competition will be the individual who smokes the cigar for the longest duration without extinguishing it. This means that the winner is determined by the longest smoking time after considering all reductions from penalty minutes, in accordance with the CSWC 2023 rules.