Life — January 6, 1921 — page 29: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a cigar-smoking contest at Havana's Colorado Maduro Club. The humor lies in contrasting the genteel seated contestants puffing cigars in the arena floor with massive clouds of smoke billowing between them—so thick they obscure much of the scene. Spectators fill the upper stands watching intently. The satire appears to mock the absurdity of a competitive cigar-smoking event, likely commenting on Cuban cigar culture or the leisure pursuits of wealthy club members. The exaggerated smoke clouds emphasize the ridiculousness of the contest's premise. The title's phrase "Give a Thought to Cuba" suggests the cartoon may also be commenting on American attitudes toward Cuba—perhaps satirizing how Americans romanticize Cuban cigars and leisure while ignoring larger political or social realities. The cartoon is credited to W.J. Enright.