A look behind the scenes: How Cigars - The Art of Enjoyment, the Facebook group works

Would you like to take a look behind the scenes of the Facebook group "Cigars - The Art of Enjoyment"? Then you should read my latest article. Find out how the moderators are dealing with the tobacco advertising ban (Switzerland from 2025) and what plans they have. Find out how the group could be affected by geo-targeting and how unwanted posts in the group are handled. Discover the story behind the funny "Cigars for the lady" campaign and why humor is so important in the group.

Expected Reading Time: 6 Minutes

Cigars - The art of enjoyment, the interview

The group "Cigars - The Art of Enjoyment" is moderated by Barbara Schlösser and Lukas Dudek. The administrator of the group is Bernhard Rüede. The group has 8,355 members (as of March 2023). I conducted the interview with Barbara Schlösser. Thank you very much for your time!

Below: The logo of the group.

Sale and exchange of tobacco products

What will happen to the group if the ban on tobacco advertising in Switzerland also leads to a ban on social media?

The tobacco ban has no impact on us, as far as we can tell right now. It's about enjoyment and a hobby. It might be necessary to ban all advertising. But we'll let that happen.

What are the consequences if a member does not adhere to this rule?

If someone wants to sell cigars, we delete the post, point this out to the member and explain why this is forbidden. Unfortunately, FB is often quicker. If someone disagrees, does not accept the decision or repeatedly ignores it, they will be removed from the group, as this can also lead to FB deleting the group.

Editor's note: Geo-targeting is currently being discussed in Swiss politics. This means that foreign websites containing tobacco products would be blocked in Switzerland. It is currently unclear whether this will pass through parliament. It is also unclear how social media should be dealt with. As a reminder: a few years ago, Facebook blocked all groups overnight in which tobacco products were sold and exchanged. However, these groups were then reopened. The current Facebook policy is: No selling and swapping of tobacco products allowed in groups and generally in the timeline, otherwise the group can be deleted or the account with posts in the timeline can be blocked.

Troublemakers and events

There are troublemakers and trolls in every group. How do you deal with such members?

Depending on what is posted, we either discuss it in the admin group, vote on posts etc. or act quickly on our own. For example, I once deleted someone here who had made very misogynistic comments and only became more sexist when reprimanded by the group and attacked the women in the group. I take the liberty of solving the problem quickly without asking the others in order to prevent such discussions from escalating further

Have there been any events outside the group, i.e. LIVE, with the members?

We haven't had any live events about the group yet, but there have been Corona Zoom Smokes with members of the group that have been privately organized.

Cigars and bras: funny moments and the departure of a presenter due to a political dispute

What story happened in the group that was funny or "dramatic"?

The incident that cost the group Tonio as admin was dramatic. Lukas Dudek and Barbara Schlösser joined the group instead. Back then, politics were brought into the group and people attacked each other digitally. Unfortunately, this happens again and again and I, for one, can understand Tonio, because it really wears on the nerves. Often for days on end. You want to please everyone, which of course isn't possible. Unfortunately, Sandra, Tonio's wife, has also stepped down from her admin position.

I found it particularly funny when someone posted his lady with a cigar in a very nice bra. When things got nasty, Thomas Geißler posted a picture of himself in a bra and lipstick. When asked what his boss thought of it, he replied: "That was on my boss's balcony with lipstick and my boss's bra". I've rarely laughed like that. A humorous approach that doesn't take itself so seriously is something I would like to see much more often in the group.

I can always laugh when people post their hand with a cigar after rather ostentatious posts, with a painted paper watch on their wrist bearing the name of a luxury watch. Or a hand with a cigar in a car and a note with the car's logo stuck to the steering wheel. Here, too, it's nice when members don't take themselves too seriously and are up for a bit of fun.

From beginner to connoisseur: tips for entering the world of cigars

What tip or advice would you give the readers of this interview on the subject of cigars?

Go to a retailer. There you can get advice, smell the aroma and be tempted by the one or other pretty wrapper. - Try out the price segment up to €25 and don't ignore the cheaper cigars (Umnum, Schizo, etc.). - give a cigar a second, but not a third chance. Or attend tastings, especially as a beginner. You get to talk, get to know lots of different opinions, get recommendations and can try something new. And you can also have a hot chocolate with your cigar.

At the bottom of the Resources section you will find the link to the Facebook group of Cigars - The art of enjoyment.

Thanks again for your time, Babs, and I hope you all continue to enjoy yourselves! ? HAPPY SMOKE ? ~ Vasilij

I hope you enjoyed my latest article and found the information it contained interesting. I am very excited to hear your views and look forward to reading your comment 🤗

Resources on the topic

Cigars - The art of enjoyment! The group on Facebook