Can Cigars Make You Sick? | The Health Facts

Many people view cigars differently from cigarettes, sometimes assuming they carry fewer health risks. Understanding the actual impact cigars have on your body is important for making informed choices about your health. We’ll discuss the factual ways cigar use can affect your well-being, from their chemical makeup to the specific health issues they can cause.

Understanding Cigar Composition

Cigars are not simply tobacco wrapped in paper; their structure and content differ significantly from cigarettes. A cigar typically consists of three main components: the filler tobacco, which makes up the bulk; the binder, which holds the filler together; and the wrapper leaf, a high-quality tobacco leaf that encases the entire cigar. The tobacco used in cigars often undergoes a lengthy fermentation process, which can alter its chemical profile.

Key Harmful Components

• Nicotine: Cigars contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance. The amount varies widely, with some large cigars containing as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.
• Tar: Cigar smoke contains tar, a sticky, black substance formed when tobacco burns. Tar carries many carcinogens and irritants.
• Carbon Monoxide: This colorless, odorless gas is a product of incomplete combustion. It reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
• Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs): These are potent carcinogens formed during the curing and fermentation of tobacco. Cigar tobacco, particularly fermented varieties, can have high levels of TSNAs.
• Other Carcinogens: Cigar smoke also contains other cancer-causing agents, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, and formaldehyde.

Nicotine Absorption: More Than Just Smoke

The way nicotine is absorbed from cigars differs from cigarettes, but its addictive power remains. Cigar smoke is typically more alkaline than cigarette smoke, which allows nicotine to be absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth, even without inhaling into the lungs. This means that even if you do not inhale cigar smoke, nicotine still enters your bloodstream.

The higher nicotine content in many cigars contributes to their addictive potential. Regular cigar users can develop nicotine dependence, making it difficult to stop using them. The presence of nicotine also impacts the cardiovascular system, affecting heart rate and blood pressure.

Oral and Throat Health Risks

The most direct impact of cigar smoking is on the mouth and throat, due to the prolonged contact of smoke with these tissues. This constant exposure to harmful chemicals significantly increases the risk of various conditions.

Cancers of the Mouth and Throat

Cigar smoking is a direct cause of several types of cancer in the head and neck region. The carcinogens in cigar smoke directly irritate and damage cells in these areas.

• Oral Cavity Cancer: This includes cancers of the lips, tongue, gums, and floor of the mouth.
• Pharyngeal Cancer: Affects the pharynx, the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity.
• Laryngeal Cancer: Involves the larynx, or voice box.
• Esophageal Cancer: The esophagus, the tube connecting the throat to the stomach, is also at risk.

Even without inhaling, cigar smokers experience similar risks for oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers as cigarette smokers. A precursor condition called leukoplakia, characterized by white patches in the mouth, is also common among cigar users and can sometimes progress to cancer. For more detailed information, you can refer to resources from the National Cancer Institute.

Gum Disease and Tooth Loss

Beyond cancer, cigar smoking contributes to poor oral hygiene and structural damage. The heat and chemicals in cigar smoke can irritate gum tissues, leading to inflammation and infection.

• Periodontal Disease: This includes gingivitis and periodontitis, which can cause gums to recede and teeth to loosen.
• Tooth Loss: Severe gum disease can result in the destruction of bone and tissue supporting the teeth, leading to tooth loss.
• Stained Teeth and Bad Breath: Aesthetic issues like tooth discoloration and persistent bad breath are also common.

Table 1: Common Oral Health Issues from Cigar Use

Condition	Description	Primary Cause
Oral Cavity Cancers	Malignant growths on lips, tongue, gums, or mouth floor.	Direct exposure to carcinogens in cigar smoke.
Leukoplakia	White patches on mucous membranes of the mouth.	Chronic irritation from tobacco products.
Periodontal Disease	Inflammation and infection of gums and supporting bone.	Irritation, reduced blood flow, bacterial growth.

Lung and Respiratory System Impact

While many cigar smokers do not deeply inhale, some level of inhalation often occurs, and even smoke exposure without direct inhalation can affect the lungs. The smoke, whether directly inhaled or passively drawn into the respiratory tract, contains numerous irritants and toxins.

Chronic Respiratory Conditions

The constant exposure to cigar smoke can lead to long-term damage to the delicate tissues of the lungs and airways.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This umbrella term includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, conditions that make breathing progressively harder.
• Emphysema: Damages the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, reducing their elasticity and ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Causes inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, leading to persistent cough and mucus production.

Even those who do not inhale deeply can still experience irritation and inflammation in their airways. Cigar smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke, which are known to harm lung tissue.

Lung Cancer Risk

Despite the perception that cigar smoking is less harmful to the lungs, it still significantly increases lung cancer risk. The degree of risk depends on the frequency of smoking and the depth of inhalation. Even light cigar smoking carries a risk, and heavy cigar smokers who inhale regularly face risks comparable to cigarette smokers. The carcinogens in cigar smoke directly contribute to cellular damage that can lead to malignant growth in the lungs.

Cardiovascular System Dangers

The impact of cigar smoking extends beyond the respiratory and oral systems, significantly affecting the heart and blood vessels. The chemicals in cigar smoke, particularly nicotine and carbon monoxide, play a central role in these effects.

Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which increases blood pressure and heart rate. This puts added strain on the heart. Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, forcing the heart to work harder to deliver oxygen to the body’s tissues. This combination of effects can lead to serious cardiovascular problems.

• Heart Disease: Cigar smoking contributes to atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and other forms of heart disease.
• Stroke: The increased blood pressure and damage to blood vessels raise the risk of stroke, where blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted.
• Aneurysms: Weakening of blood vessel walls can lead to aneurysms, which are balloon-like bulges that can rupture.

These risks are present even for those who do not inhale, as nicotine and carbon monoxide are absorbed into the bloodstream through the mouth and lungs. Information on tobacco’s overall impact on health is widely available from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other Systemic Health Concerns

The systemic absorption of chemicals from cigar smoke means that other organs and bodily functions can also be negatively affected.

• Pancreatic Cancer: Cigar smoking has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, a particularly aggressive form of cancer.
• Bladder Cancer: Carcinogens absorbed into the bloodstream are filtered by the kidneys and accumulate in the bladder, increasing the risk of bladder cancer.
• Kidney Cancer: Some studies suggest a link between cigar smoking and an elevated risk of kidney cancer.
• Reduced Immune Function: Chronic exposure to tobacco smoke can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and reducing its ability to fight off diseases.
• Delayed Wound Healing: Smoking can impair blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues, which hinders the body’s ability to heal after injuries or surgeries.

Table 2: Systemic Health Risks Associated with Cigar Smoking

Body System	Specific Risk	Contributing Factor
Cardiovascular	Heart Attack, Stroke	Nicotine (vasoconstriction), Carbon Monoxide (oxygen deprivation).
Digestive	Pancreatic Cancer	Systemic absorption of carcinogens.
Urinary	Bladder Cancer	Carcinogen accumulation in urine.

Secondhand Smoke: A Shared Burden

The health risks associated with cigars are not limited to the person smoking them. Cigar smoke contributes to secondhand smoke, which is harmful to anyone exposed to it. Cigar smoke contains many of the same toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in secondhand cigarette smoke, often in higher concentrations due to the larger amount of tobacco and longer burning time.

When someone smokes a cigar, bystanders inhale the smoke directly from the burning end (sidestream smoke) and the smoke exhaled by the smoker (mainstream smoke). Both forms contain dangerous chemicals. Exposure to secondhand cigar smoke can cause or worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis, increase the risk of heart disease, and contribute to lung cancer in non-smokers. Children are particularly vulnerable to these effects, experiencing higher rates of respiratory infections and ear infections.

No Safe Level of Cigar Use

A common misconception is that occasional cigar smoking or not inhaling deeply makes it safe. The scientific consensus is clear: there is no safe level of tobacco product use. Even infrequent cigar smoking exposes the body to harmful chemicals and carcinogens. The cumulative effect of these exposures over time, even if sporadic, can still significantly increase health risks.

The body’s systems are sensitive to these toxins. Each exposure contributes to cellular damage, inflammation, and the potential for disease development. Relying on the idea of “moderation” with cigars does not eliminate the inherent dangers they present to your health.