In other countries sometimes it is considered rude to smoke a cigar with the band on it because some people like to show off with what they are smoking. So not having a band on it makes everyone equal.

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“What this country needs is a good five cent cigar.”
Thomas R. Marshall

“Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle.”
George F. Burns