[Col. Kurtz]

I will generally ask the people around me before I light up. Even outdoors in public spaces. Something along the lines of "would it bother you if I smoke?" I can't ever remember someone telling me they would rather I didn't, but if that was the response I'd gladly wait.

In fact, it is usually a good icebreaker. I hear about how they love the smell of cigar smoke and how uncle Bobby used to always smoke when they were kids....et c.

Let's face it, we're not addicts, and the last thing I want to do is inconvenience anyone with what brings me happiness. Not fun to be on the other end of that. (think of your neighbor that rides four-wheelers with gutted mufflers @ 10pm)
The last thing I want to do is come across as inconsiderate and give other cigar smokers a bad name.

All that said, if I were in a venue where most folks were stoned out of their mind and feeling no pain, I probably wouldn't bother asking.