Does Smoking Cigar Cause Cancer?

It is important for any smoker (or non-smoker) to understand the difference between the smoke of a cigarette and that of a cigar - what they contain, and the possibility of them being the direct root cause for someone developing cancer.

Cigarettes - usually contain less than 1-gram of tobacco (blends vary depending on the brand), are never fermented, and are wrapped in a special white smoking paper. The average time taken to smoke a cigarette is between 5 - 10 minutes each.

Cigars - on the other-hand, tend to vary in tobacco content (1 - 20-grams in each), are air-cured or fermented, and are wrapped in a tobacco leaf. The average time taken to smoke a cigar can vary between 10 minutes and 2-hours.

(a) Small Cigars - tend to be about the same size and shape as a cigarette, contain around 1-gram of tobacco in each, are packed like cigarettes (5 - 20 per packet), and often have a filter at one end (similar to a cigarette).

(b) Cigarrillos - are usually slightly larger, and contain about 3-grams of tobacco in each.

(c) Large Cigars - can measure up to 7-inches or more in length, and typically contain between 5 - 20 grams of tobacco in each. Usually individually wrapped in cellophane (smaller cigars), or sold in wooden (cedar) boxes (un-wrapped).

Are cigarettes and cigars smoked in the same way?

No! The smoke from a cigarette is inhaled into the body as far as the lungs, whereas the smoke from a cigar is not usually inhaled further than in the mouth.

So, cigar smoke is less harmful than cigarette smoke?

No! This is not the case, as both contain toxic (cancer causing) chemicals that are not only dangerous to the smoker, but also to any nearby non-smokers too.

Cigars contain the following:

1. A high level of cancer causing nitrosamines (compounds which contain powerful carcinogens [substances that can cause cancer]) which are produced during the fermentation process of the cigar leaf, and released when the cigar is smoked.

2. More cancer causing tar can be found in a cigar (gram for gram) than in a cigarette (cigars usually have more grams of tobacco in each).

3. Higher concentrations of poisonous toxins are found in a cigar due to the following: 1. The cigar wrapper is less porous than those used on cigarettes (the burning of the tobacco is therefore restricted [less complete]). 2. The size of the cigar in comparison to that of a cigarette. 3. The longer time it takes to smoke a cigar.

* Toxic substances may include: ammonia, cadmium, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons, etc., to mention just a few.

Dangers to smoking cigars - may include the following: CANCER of the oral cavity, esophagus, and larynx, are all quite common with cigar smokers when the smoker does not inhale (a normal cigar smoker's practice). However, some cigar smokers inhale the same as with a cigarette (in this case the same cancer risks are prevalent [lung cancer and heart-disease are both of a very high risk]).

Note: There are NO specific guidelines as to the safe levels of which both cigar and cigarette smoke can be inhaled (both types are considered unhealthy). It is therefore advised - as a smoker GIVE-UP, and as a non-smoker DO NOT INHALE SECOND-HAND SMOKE.

Philip is a Freelance Writer, Author, and Owner of Cancer Cry. He was born in Oxfordshire, England; however, today he lives in Mexico where he has been based for many years writing about cancer and other health related issues. If you would like to read more of his articles, check out his blogsite - http://www.cancercry.com Thank you for reading Philip's articles!

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