Cigar Tradition

I'm really adverse to smokers so I never understood the tradition of handing out Black and Mild cigars at the birth of a baby! One would think that a hospital would be the last place which allows you to smoke. I guess the tradition came about as a form of celebration especially since cigars are expensive to start with. Nevertheless, I'm sure there are better and healthier ways to celebrate the joyous occasion a baby's birth brings!