A deep cedar smell punctuated the cloud of smoke coming from the corner of a patio as a student gestured to emphasize a point. On the other side of the patio, a student took a puff from a dark brown cigar, nodding in agreement with another person.

This scene is typical at a meeting of the ISU Cigar Club.

The organization, which has 113 members, was founded by Andrew Czapla, sophomore in political science, and Josh Hemberger, sophomore in pre-architecture. The pair, who are now president and vice president of the club, were lounging around Helser Hall one day last winter when discussion turned to their shared interest in smoking cigars.

The club meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. to relax and have a smoke.

“It’s a social club,” Czapla said. He said the group benefits from these gatherings by increasing their knowledge of cigar making and allowing them to get to know each other better.

“A cigar is a great way to help people bond,” he said.

The cigar club has cigar company sponsors that provide free cigars for students to smoke every week. Cigar companies affiliated with the club include CAO, Bucanero, Torano and Perdomo.

The club received its largest boost of membership at this year’s ClubFest. Czapla said the club had 40 members last year and nearly tripled after the event.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to be one of the largest groups on campus,” said Craig Buske, freshman in political science and “humidor master” of the club.

The club has weekly meetings, and Buske said the club also plans to begin hosting cookouts and poker games. He said the club is also planning to purchase a cigar roller in order to teach members about cigar-making.

Last year, the meetings were held outside of Helser. Czapla said when meetings were held outside of the residence hall, some passersby would let out “fake coughs” or give them lectures about the dangers of smoking.

The meeting place has since moved to the back patio of the Lambda Chi Alpha house and they are currently looking for a new location when the weather gets colder.

While Czapla said the recent repeal of the Ames restaurant smoking ban by the Iowa Supreme Court was a personal victory for those with a smoking lifestyle, it doesn’t affect the club’s activities.

“We’re not going to have 100 people walk into a restaurant and have a meeting,” he said.

Students must be 18 to smoke and IDs will be checked.