Quote Originally Posted by Mangyrat View Post
1. No you don't take the band off before lighting it, it may tear the wrapper. it also lets people know your not smoking a cheap cigar.
you should or can take the band off when it burns down close to it, The heat will loosen the glue and lessen the chance of messing up your cigar.

2. the cigar band was started to lessen the chance of counterfeiting cigars from Cuba.
Toasty