What is necessary for a beginning cigar smoker?

uh....buy some and a match.

Why be a beginner and cause damage to your body and an uncomfortably smelly environment for those near you? So many studies have been conducted showing damage to the body by smoking. You probably follow statistics in everything else, please respect those statistics.

All you really need is an assortment of different cigars (so that you can determine the ones that you enjoy the most), a cigar cutter (so that you can cut the cigar's head properly) and a humidor (while not necessary it is recommended if you want to store your cigars properly). Oh, one more thing, matches (you can get them free) or a butane lighter (you have to pay for it).

I think you also need to get a good bottle of cognac to drink next to the cigars you smoke.

A healthy pair of lungs to slowly destroy a cigar and matches or a lighter

WISDOM, and if you have that, you will never be a beginner in smoking a cigar.

 First off, I am new to the cigar world, and no-one is holding a gun to my head. Quit being a humaniterian, hippie, tree hugger, who thinks he/she is more qualified to tell me, or any other person that cigars are bad. If you don't like cigars then move on with your life, or simply get up and walk away. Most people I know are polite as to where and when to light up anyways. Here is an example for the newbie cigar smoker.

Before lighting that cigar, we should have a little talk about what you're getting into here. Cigar smoking can be a very enjoyable activity, however some forethought must go into the process. Cigars, like any natural tobacco product, contain nicotine. For the vast majority of cigar smokers the nicotine is not the sole attraction. However it is there and if not managed properly can cause unpleasant effects, especially in the new cigar smoker.

Smoking a cigar is best done after a reasonable sized meal that is "sitting well" with you. Never smoke a cigar on an empty stomach unless you know what you're doing and are familiar with the cigar in question. Beverages such as port, brandy, scotch, bourbon, strong ale, espresso and Dr. Pepper are good accompaniment for a cigar, however they are no substitute for a comfortably full stomach.

Some people salivate when they smoke cigars. If you find yourself salivating, by all means try to spit most of it out as opposed to swallowing it. I believe one reason the full stomach helps is that the food in it soaks up the saliva which you do end-up swallowing. This spreads the absorption out over a longer duration thus helping to avoid the problems noted below.

A note on puffing a cigar: Do not use your lungs! Lungs are meant for breathing air, not concentrated cigar smoke. The use of your cheeks, jaw, tongue, palate, etc. is mandatory. Failure to puff properly may result in coughing, dizziness, nausea and a bad cigar experiance.