While most people are aware of the dangers of cigarette smoking there are still many people who have yet to associate those same dangers with other types of smoking. Like cigarette smoking, cigar smoking has the potential to cause problems with your health that may even lead to death. Cigars should not be regarded as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, as they have their own set of hazards that must be considered.
More Tobacco
Cigars take longer to smoke than cigarettes do, but this is because they contain more tobacco. Dr. Rob Danoff of MSN Health and Fitness warns that some larger cigars may contain up to 20 grams of tobacco. The average premium cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes. The more tobacco a cigar contains, the more toxic chemicals the smoker is exposed to when they smoke.
Increased Chemical Levels
The National Cancer Institute reports that cigars contain higher levels of nitrosamine than cigarettes do due to the fermentation process used for cigar tobacco. When the cigars are lit these compounds are released in much larger amounts than cigarettes, increasing their potency and making them even more of a danger. Some large cigars can contain up to 200 times more nicotine than the average cigarette. The type of paper used to wrap tobacco creates an even more potent smoke than cigarette paper does due to its nonporous nature.
Secondhand Smoke Concerns
Secondhand smoke is a concern when it comes to any type of smoke, but with cigar smoking it is even more of a concern. This is because cigars are substantially larger than cigarettes and produce much more smoke than a regular cigarette would, making it more difficult to avoid inhaling smoke for those in the smoker's environment. Cigars contain the very same toxins that are known to cause health problems in smokers and non-smokers alike.
