Cigars Safer Than Cigarettes?

by Tyler Gosnell

Cigar smoking is no less harmful than cigarette smoking. Both are addictive and produce second-hand smoke.

Large cigars contain 100 to 200 times more nicotine than cigarettes which contain approximately one to two grams of nicotine. While cigarette smokers absorb most of that nicotine by inhaling, the amount of nicotine absorbed by cigar smokers varies by factors including the duration of smoking, the amount of puffs that are taken, and whether the smoke is inhaled or not. But, once lit, both large and small cigars produce toxic smoke containing more than 4,000 dangerous chemical compounds including carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, nicotine, tar and ammonia.

Unlike most cigarette smokers, many cigar smokers tend to puff on cigars without inhaling, directing most of the chemical compounds into their mouth and throat instead of their lungs. This creates a greater likelihood of developing oral cancers. Other risks of cigar smoking include:

* Cancer of the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, larynx and esophagus. If the smoker inhales, there is an added risk of bladder or pancreatic cancer.
* Lung cancer and lung disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
* Nicotine addiction.
* Tooth loss and gum disease.
* Circulatory disorders, including erectile dysfunction and heart disease.
* Increased risk of breast cancer in males.
* Increased risk of infertility.

Cigar smoke releases far more second-hand and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) than cigarettes. Cigar smoke also tends to linger for as many as five hours and manifests into third-hand smoke, remnants of chemicals that cling to cloth, clothing, furniture, and family pets.

Cigar smoking is hazardous to your health and to your environment. Fortunately, there are many ways to stop. For more information on how to quit and for your FREE QUIT SMOKING BROCHURE clik here.

BREATHE LA advocates for strong anti-smoking enforcement in Los Angeles County and testified against allowing an exemption of smoking ban for Long Beach Cigar Clubs at a February 2008 Long Beach City Council meeting.

Read the Long Beach Press Telegram Article by PAul Eakins.