Mark Twain’s 300-Cigar Habit
Mark Twain was more than a writer and humorist — he was one of history’s most notorious cigar smokers. His lifelong love of cigars became a defining part of his personality, and the anecdotes around his habit are as legendary as his novels.
Twain’s Early Start with Cigars
Twain often joked, “I never smoked cigars until I was nine.” That line, part humour and part truth, reflected how early his love affair with tobacco began. By his thirties, he claimed to be smoking around 300 cigars a month. On heavy writing days, he admitted to lighting as many as fifteen cigars in just a few hours at his desk.
Cheap Smokes over Luxury
Unlike today’s cigar enthusiasts who seek out rare and premium blends, Twain was happiest with cheap, strong cigars. He famously turned down expensive Havanas, saying they “tasted terrible” to him. When offered a fine cigar, Twain told him, “I can’t smoke this. It’s too good. Send me something cheap and nasty.”
This preference wasn’t about status — for Twain, cigars were companions, not collectibles.
The Many Quitting Attempts
Twain’s wife, Olivia (Livy), once persuaded him to cut back. For a time, he reduced his intake from dozens of cigars a day to just four. But the moment she left on a trip, Twain returned to his usual pace. He immortalized the experience in one of his best one-liners:
Twain on Quitting
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.”
Cigars as Creative Fuel
Cigars weren’t just a pastime — they were part of Twain’s creative process. Friends recalled his study filled with smoke, a fresh cigar always in hand. Twain admitted cigars kept him company during long writing hours, helping shape both his mood and his imagination.
Twain’s Cigar Legacy
Despite doctors’ warnings, Twain lived to 74. When asked if cigars might shorten his life, he replied with another unforgettable line: “If smoking is not allowed in heaven, I shall not go.”
His cigar habit may sound excessive today, but it reflected an unapologetic approach to living. For Twain, cigars weren’t luxuries to be savoured — they were everyday companions that fueled creativity, humour, and resilience.
