Cigar - Health Effects

Health Effects

Like other forms of tobacco use, cigar smoking poses a significant health risk depending on dosage: risks are greater for those who inhale more when they smoke, smoke more cigars, or smoke them longer. The risk of dying from any cause is statistically greater for cigar smokers than for people who have never smoked, with the risk higher for smokers less than 65 years old, and with risk for moderate and deep inhalers reaching levels similar to cigarette smokers. However, for those who don't inhale and smoke 1–2 cigars per day, the risk of dying from all causes is statistically insignificant when compared to non-smokers and greatly reduced compared to heavy cigar smokers. For those who inhale or smoke several cigars a day, types of health risk can be similar to those associated with cigarette smoking: nicotine addiction, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and many types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Cigar smoking can also cause cancers of the lung and larynx. Cigar smoking can also increase the risk of lung and heart diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Little cigars are commonly inhaled and likely pose the same health risks as cigarettes. The health risks of the 3/4 of cigar smokers who smoke less than daily are not established, and are hard to measure.