Women Stepping Into the Smoke-Filled Room

Proving that stogies aren’t just for fogies anymore, the Doubletree Hotel Anaheim/Orange County has begun offering Introductory Cigar Nights for Women for ladies who want to get puffed up.

Two evenings a month in the hotel’s Lobby Bar, an expert instructs women on the basics of cigar selection and smoking. Nearly 50 George Burns wannabes showed up for each of the first two sessions in December, according to Peter Awad, the hotel’s director of restaurants.

“It’s trendy and it’s different,” said Awad, explaining the surge in female fascination with cigar smoking. He added that actress Demi Moore’s recent appearance on the cover of a major cigar lover’s magazine didn’t hurt either.

The Doubletree’s cigar nights for women are held the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. Men are welcome too. Information: (714) 634-4500.

*

Marla Dickerson covers tourism for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5670 and at marla.dickerson@latimes.com