Think cigars are safer than cigarettes? Think again.
One cigar has as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes!
When many people think of cigar smoking they think luxury, status, affluence… and…much safer than cigarettes. It’s a big myth that cigar smoking is safer than cigarette smoking. But since they are used differently, the health hazards are different, too.
First, let’s clear the air about “safe smoking”. There is no such thing as a “safe” tobacco product. All forms of tobacco have risks and cigars are no different.
What are the differences between cigar smoking and smoking cigarettes?
There are three key differences between smoking cigars and cigarettes:
- Roughly 75 percent of cigar smokers don’t inhale
- Most cigar smokers don’t smoke cigars on a daily basis
- Cigarette smokers do inhale, and most smoke 20 or more cigarettes every day
These differences are why cigar smokers are generally exposed to less poisons and carcinogens in cigars than cigarette smokers. It’s also why there are fewer instances of cigar smoking-related disease and death than we typically see with cigarettes.
Cigar Smoking Facts
1. One cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
A single cigarette typically has less than a gram of tobacco, while a single cigar may contain as much as 5 to 17 grams of tobacco. So that could be 17 times (or more) tobacco than cigarettes.
2. Cigar smoking is addictive.
Cigar smoke breaks down in saliva, allowing the smoker to easily absorb nicotine through the lining of the mouth. Even a small quantity is enough to cause addiction – even if the smoke is not inhaled. And, the amount of nicotine in a single cigar is many times greater than what is found in a cigarette.
FACT: A typical cigarette contains 1-2 milligrams of nicotine, while the nicotine content of a cigar is 100- 200 milligrams. Some cigars contain as much as 400 milligrams of nicotine!
3. Cigar smoke is more concentrated and toxic than cigarette smoke.
Secondhand smoke from cigars varies from that of cigarettes for a couple of reasons. First, the manufacturing process for cigars requires a fermentation period. During this time, high concentrations of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are produced. TSNAs are some of the most carcinogenic compounds known to man.
Secondly, cigar wrappers are not as porous as cigarette wrappers, making the combustion of a cigar less complete. These two factors result in higher concentrations of some of the toxic chemicals in cigars than in cigarettes.
4. Smoking as little as one cigar a day will increase you’re risk of cancer.
Cigar smoking has been linked to several different cancers, most notably those of the oral cavity, which include lip, tongue, mouth, throat, and larynx. Cigar smokers who inhale are also at an increased risk for lung cancer, cancers of the pancreas and bladder, as well as heart and lung disease.
5. Cigar and pipe smokers are at risk for early tooth loss.
In a study published in the January 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, it was discovered that cigar and pipe smokers are at an increased risk for early tooth loss, compared to that of their nonsmoking counterparts. Cigar and pipe smokers are also at an increased risk for alveolar bone (the bone that holds the tooth in place) loss.
6. Cigar smoking has been linked to erectile dysfunction in men.
Smokers are twice as likely to be impotent as nonsmokers due to the adverse effects smoking has on circulation, hormones and the nervous system. Cigar smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, in particular, have been shown to be significant risk factors for erectile dysfunction.
Ready to learn more?
If you or someone close to you is concerned about cigar smoking, get in touch with us for a complimentary consultation. We are Mayo Clinic trained Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists, with a 95% client satisfaction rate, and a 5-star rating on Google. We’ve earned that because this is not JUST a treatment program — it’s coaching, it’s motivation, and it’s being there for you when it gets tough.
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