Pipe smoking is still popular in the United States where a cigar way of life is supported by cigar shops, bars, magazines and multiple clubs. Much like wine aficianados , cigar smokers think of themselves as connoisseurs . They may view cigars as a sophisticated , affordable luxury that represents status. Some look at cigar smoking as a sign of refinement and taste. This status is fueled in part by the efforts of the smoking industry to uplift cigars and the willingness of athletes and movie stars to be photographed and paid smoking cigars. But the proposed link between success and cigars isn’t reality. In fact, cigar use is higher among unemployed adults than in people who are employed full or part time. And college graduates are slightly less likely to smoke cigars than adults with lower education levels. In recent years, because of lower taxes, little cigars cost much less than cigarettes. This made them easier for younger smokers to afford. Sales of large cigars increased through much of the 1990s but appear to have leveled off over the last decade. The level of cigar use among teens aged 12 to 17 in 2008 was about 4%, which is higher than the level of chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco use. In some states, more high school boys smoke cigars than cigarettes. Much of this is because of little cigars, which are often a cheaper alternative to cigarettes.