Cigars, Celebs got 'em, and they smoke 'em

Cigar-chomping has made a comeback, and younger celebrities — including female stars — and hip-hoppers are leading the way.

Jay-Z's Manhattan sports club, 40/40, opened last month with a cigar room. A cigar "gives you an air of invincibility," the rapper says. "You feel unstoppable. It's the guy's version of stopping to smell the roses."

Jay-Z, who says he has smoked cigars "on and off since 1996," is partial to Zino Platinums, which come in large silver matchboxes of three cigars for $87 to $117. They have a cachet among the hip-hop crowd, he says. "You got your big cigar going, a nice glass of cognac, you feel like you've made it."

Zino Platinum cigars — considered the "Cristal of cigars" its, co-creator Peter Arnell, provided 400 Zinos for the wedding of his pal, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Cigars have always been classic accouterments; George Burns and Milton Berle were among the entertainment world's cigar-toting statesmen. Modern-day smokers include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Cosby, Jack Nicholson, Matt Dillon, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Tom Selleck, Ahmad Rashad, Rush Limbaugh, Dan Rather and Linda Evangelista.

"The cigar has always been looked upon as a symbol of success, achievement and celebration," says Norman Sharp, president of the Cigar Association of America.

In the past, cigars were the domain of older guys sitting in "a paneled smoky room," Stoute says. These days, fine smokes have become a fashionable accessory for out-and-about celebs. "There is a whole new generation that wants to enjoy their success."


For the Renaissance Man!