Are cigars safer to smoke than cigarettes in terms of health risks?

Cigars Are Not a Safe Alternative to Cigarettes and Cause Significant Health Damage

Cigars are not safer than cigarettes and pose serious health risks including increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive lung disease. 1 While cigars may contain less additives than cigarettes, they still deliver harmful tobacco smoke and nicotine to the body.

Health Risks of Cigar Smoking

Cancer Risk

• Cigar smokers have 9 times higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers 2
• The risk increases with:
  • Duration of smoking
  • Number of cigars smoked daily (5-9 cigars daily = 3.2 times risk; 10+ cigars = 6.7 times risk) 3
  • Depth of inhalation (those who inhale cigar smoke have 12.3 times higher risk) 3

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disease

• Cigar smoking increases risk of ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive lung disease 4
• Former cigarette smokers who switch to cigars still have a 68% higher risk of dying from smoking-related diseases compared to lifelong non-smokers 4

What Happens to Your Body When You Smoke Cigars

Immediate Effects

• Nicotine absorption through oral mucosa and lungs (if inhaled)
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Carbon monoxide binding to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen delivery

Long-term Effects

1. Respiratory System:

   • Increased risk of lung cancer (7.9-9.0 times higher than non-smokers) 2
   • Development of chronic bronchitis and emphysema
   • Reduced lung function

2. Cardiovascular System:

   • Increased risk of coronary artery disease 1
   • Development of atherosclerosis 1
   • Higher risk of aortic aneurysms 1

3. Oral Health:

   • Increased risk of oral and esophageal cancers
   • Periodontal disease
   • Tooth loss and staining

4. Nicotine Addiction:

   • Cigar smoke delivers significant amounts of nicotine
   • Creates and maintains addiction similar to cigarettes

Comparing Cigars to Cigarettes

Similarities

• Both deliver nicotine, which is highly addictive 1
• Both produce carcinogenic compounds through tobacco combustion
• Both increase risk of multiple cancers and cardiovascular disease

Differences

• Cigars typically contain more tobacco than cigarettes
• Cigar smoke is often not inhaled as deeply, but still causes significant harm
• Cigar smokers who previously smoked cigarettes tend to inhale more deeply than those who never smoked cigarettes 4

Common Misconceptions

Myth: "Cigars are natural and therefore safer"

Reality: All tobacco products contain harmful and carcinogenic compounds when burned, regardless of additives.

Myth: "Not inhaling cigar smoke makes them safe"

Reality: Even without inhalation, cigar smokers absorb nicotine and carcinogens through the oral mucosa, and many cigar smokers do inhale to some degree.

Myth: "Occasional cigar smoking poses little risk"

Reality: While risk increases with frequency, even occasional use carries elevated health risks compared to not smoking.

Special Considerations

Former Cigarette Smokers Who Switch to Cigars

• Former cigarette smokers who switch to cigars or pipes still have a 51% higher risk of dying from smoking-related diseases compared to those who never smoked cigarettes 4
• They tend to inhale cigar smoke more deeply than those who never smoked cigarettes, as evidenced by higher carboxyhemoglobin levels 4

Public Health Perspective

• Confusion about the relative harms of tobacco products is common among smokers 5
• Only about 13% of smokers correctly understand that smokeless tobacco products carry lower risks than combustible products 5

Conclusion

The evidence clearly shows that cigar smoking causes significant health risks. While switching from cigarettes to cigars may reduce some risk (46% lower risk than continuing cigarettes) 4, it is not a safe alternative. Complete cessation of all tobacco products remains the only truly safe option for improving health outcomes related to tobacco use.