CUMBERLAND, Ind. (AP) - Jerica Lowder and Samantha Rees tried their first cigars after a couple of Coronas - and some prodding from their husbands, who were smoking Cuban stogies at a party. “We shocked the socks off of them,” Lowder, 33, told The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1cVlbq4 ). “The love began. Now, the two women from Cumberland, a small town east of Indianapolis, smoke two or three cigars a month from their husbands’ stashes.” There is something rich, relaxing,” Rees, 37, said. “It’s just a soothing thing to do.”

What is happening here? Cigars and women are two words you don’t usually put together. But hotel and restaurants who normally provide space for men to smoke cigars, are now offering “Ladies Nights” regularly. Havana has found a new demand for Cuba’s most famous brand Romeo Y Julieta last year developed a “Julieta” which at 4.75 incher is targeted at the lady smoker.

"There's definitely more interest in cigars, especially among young people," says Jennifer Fincher, assistant manager at Robert Graham, the Scottish whisky and cigar specialists. "They're more socially acceptable than cigarettes."

Not only has Rihanna recently been spotted smoking a cigarillo, but some of the greatest female icons have made it their signature. Novelists George Sand and Radclyffe Hall took a stand against the establishment enjoying a cigarella, while Marlene Dietrich and Madonna have both tried out the look.

We have a lot of ladies who come for the first time," says Edita Nemethova, Manchester Street's cigar sommelier and a connoisseur of the aromatic pastime. "Maybe they've wanted to try it for a while but still don't feel comfortable enough to do it in front of men. We have regular guests, young and old. We have one lady, about 60, who smokes the biggest cigars we have in the humidor, and has done for 36 years.

Tobacco Haven offers Romeo and Julietta cigars and others specifically for the ladies. View the selection here.