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Cigar smoking has been around for a long, long time. Starting with the ancient Mayans, who would roll up tobacco leaves during special events.

But it’s not all just history because even today, cigars are more popular than ever. Not only are they used to relax but also for celebrations. But the age-old question remains: Are cigars bad for your health?

Before we answer that, an interesting fact is that in the U.S., cigar smoking has been associated with over 9,000 early deaths every year. That’s a staggering number.

So, does smoking a cigar offer any good? That will be our focus in today’s post. We will cover things like where cigars come from and then jump to the health risks they bring.

But that’s not all.

We will also discuss how they’re different from cigarettes and more. Let’s jump right into it! 

What Is a Cigar?

Before we talk about the health risks linked to cigars, you first need to know what it’s made of. We won’t dive too deep into the details, but in simple words, a cigar is made from dried, fermented tobacco leaves.

These leaves are rolled up with immense care. It’s not like cigarettes, where shredded tobacco is used. Cigars instead use whole leaves.

Cigars come in many different shapes and sizes. Among those, the two main kinds are parejos (straight ones) and figurados (shaped ones). Depending on its size, one cigar can have between 5 to 20 grams of tobacco.

Cigar History

Cigars were created as early as the 10th century. The first process involved the ancient Mayans wrapping tobacco leaves in plantain or palm leaves to smoke. Europeans first saw this in 1492 when Christopher Columbus and his crew met the Taino people in the Caribbean.

The cigars we know about today started taking shape in the 16th century. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Cuba became the heart of cigar production.

The Art of Cigar Making

Making a cigar is anything but easy or quick. It takes a ton of time and care. There are many steps involved, starting from growing the tobacco, harvesting it, curing it, fermenting it, and then aging it. With each step, the taste of the cigar improves. And so does the feel of its smoke. 

This is also what makes cigar smoking somewhat different. You will often see cigarette smokers inhaling deeply. But cigars are never meant to be inhaled. Their taste and scent are slowly released into your mouth, and that’s enough to get the nicotine while also enjoying the flavor of the cigar. 

Is Smoking Cigars Bad for You?

It should not be news to you that cigar smoke is full of harmful stuff. Very much like cigarettes, cigar smoke too can cause cancer. And don’t think you will be safe if you are not inhaling it. Smoking cigars is pretty dangerous and can still give you cancer in your mouth or throat.

And it doesn’t just stop there. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigar smoking is associated with various cancers, including lung, oral, and throat cancers.

Then there’s heart disease. Cigar smoking has been associated with an increased risk of heart problems or strokes. That’s because the smoke has toxic chemicals, which is pretty similar to cigarette smoke.

But you might say that I don’t inhale cigars, so I should be safe, right? Well, we hate to break it to you, but nicotine will find its way into your body through your mouth. This will increase your craving for tobacco, ultimately leading to an addiction.

We hate to break it to you, but cigars are definitely not safer than cigarettes.

But of course, we won’t say whether you should use it. That is entirely a personal choice. We’re just here to provide you with the information to make a decision based on that. 

What are the long-term health Effects of Smoking Cigars Regularly?

Smoking cigars regularly might look like a fun idea. And we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it can lead to serious health problems. Some of these risks might surprise you. Let’s break it down:

• Cancer Risks: Cigar smokers have a higher chance than regular people of getting cancer. Commonly, the cancers linked to cigar smoking are mouth, throat, and lung cancer. And as we said earlier, the risk is there even if you don’t inhale. The odds of cigar smokers getting cancer are still 3 to 10 times higher. This is when compared to a person who doesn’t smoke.
• Premature Deaths: In the U.S., cigars cause about 9,000 early deaths every year for adults over 35. That’s a lot of lives cut short because of this habit.
• Years of Life Lost: It’s not just the deaths. Smoking cigars also takes away years of life. Each year, believe it or not, 140,000 years of potential life are lost in the U.S. That’s hard to ignore, isn’t it?
• Breathing Issues: Even if you don’t inhale, cigars still harm your lungs. Many smokers end up with breathing issues like COPD. The smoke damages more than just your lungs—it affects your whole respiratory system.
• Heart Disease: Smoking cigars raises the risk of heart disease. Studies show that regular cigar smokers aged 30 to 74 have a 30% higher chance of dying from heart issues. For younger men, the risks are even worse.
• Higher Death Risk: Many people say that they’re “light smokers“ and don’t inhale deeply. But the risk of dying is still higher than those who do not smoke at all. Cigar-only smokers face a 39% higher chance of death compared to non-smokers. The more you smoke, the worse it gets.

In the end, the risks from cigars are real. Inhaling it or not is just one part of the bigger picture. Because in the long run, it will still cause some degree of harm to your body. 

Are There Any Health Benefits to Smoking Cigars?

Some people use cigars as a way to relax and also to unwind. We’re not saying that what they feel by using it isn’t true. But you need to look at the bigger picture. The risks of cigars outweigh the benefits, even if they make you feel calm.

A common belief is that cigars are natural or even herbal. This makes them believe cigars might be good for you in some way.

But that cannot be further from the truth. Pretty much like cigarettes, cigars have nicotine and harmful chemicals. All of this is released from the burning tobacco. Even smoking a little can be dangerous.

There’s also the problem of addiction. Nicotine can hook you quickly. Over time, you might depend on it more and more. This can lead to serious life changes you didn’t see coming.

In the end, while cigars might seem relaxing, the dangers are too big to ignore.

Are Cigars Healthier than Cigarettes?

Many wealthy people smoke cigars. It would make one think that cigars are healthier than cigarettes. But that’s far from reality. Many harmful chemicals are used while making a cigar. That includes carbon, tar, monoxide, and nicotine.

And all of these chemicals make cigars addictive, whether you inhale profoundly or not. And we’re just touching the surface because many other chemicals are involved in making a cigar.

To give you some perspective, a single cigar has more nicotine than a pack of cigarettes. That’s a lot!

Many people often claim that cigars are safer than cigarettes. But the difference isn’t that drastic. The argument is based on the reasoning that, like cigarettes, you don’t inhale cigar smoke. And we will agree to some extent. Cigar smokers might have slightly lower risks than heavy cigarette smokers. But cigars are far from being safe. Smokers who smoke several cigars a day face dangers just like cigarette users.

Even smoking cigars occasionally comes with its fair share of risks. The risks are smaller than regular cigarette smoking, but they’re still genuine and to be cautious of.

When you compare cigar smokers to people who don’t smoke at all, their chances of health problems and early death are much higher.

Read more about Cigar vs Cigarette

Summary

Cigars often have that “classy“ vibe, right? People tend to think they’re a more refined way to enjoy tobacco. But they come with some pretty serious health risks. 

Regularly smoking cigars is linked to cancers, breathing problems, heart issues, and even premature death. The idea that cigars are somehow safer than cigarettes? It’s mostly a myth. Both forms of tobacco use are dangerous.

Those who choose to smoke should carefully consider these risks and practice moderation. Ultimately, prioritizing health over temporary pleasure is key.

If you do choose to enjoy cigars, storing them properly is essential. Keep them fresh and flavorful with a Mozsly cigar box humidor.