Cigar smoking Safer than cigarette smoking? Mayo Clinic
Cigar smoking: Safer than cigarette smoking? - Mayo Clinic
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy LifestyleQuit smoking
Products and servicesIs cigar smoking safer than cigarette smoking
Answer From J. Taylor Hays, M.D. No. Despite what you might have heard, cigar smoking isn't safer than cigarette smoking - even if you don't intentionally inhale the smoke. Like cigarette smoking, cigar smoking exposes you to: Nicotine. Cigars, like cigarettes, contain nicotine, the substance that can lead to tobacco dependence. A single full-size cigar can contain nearly as much nicotine as does a pack of cigarettes. If you inhale cigar smoke, you can get as much nicotine as if you smoked cigarettes. And even if you don't intentionally inhale, large amounts of nicotine can be absorbed through the lining of your mouth. Smoking cigars instead of cigarettes doesn't reduce your risk of nicotine dependence. Secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke from cigars contains the same toxic chemicals that secondhand cigarette smoke does. This type of smoke can cause or contribute to lung cancer and heart disease. It also increases the risk and severity of childhood asthma, ear infections, and upper and lower respiratory infections in children. Cigar smoking poses serious health risks, including: Cancer. All tobacco smoke contains chemicals that can cause cancer, and cigar smoke is no exception. Regular cigar smoking increases the risk of several types of cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and larynx. Lung and heart disease. Regular cigar smoking increases the risk of lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It might also increase the risk of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease. Oral disease. Cigar smoking has been linked to oral and dental disease, such as gum disease and tooth loss. Switching from cigarette smoking to cigar smoking can be particularly harmful because you might inhale cigar smoke the way you inhaled cigarette smoke. The more cigars you smoke and the deeper you inhale, the greater the risks. Although the health effects of occasional cigar smoking aren't as clear, the only safe level of cigar smoking is none at all. Instead of trying to choose between cigarette smoking and cigar smoking, try to quit tobacco entirely. There is no safe form of tobacco. With J. Taylor Hays, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe!Thank you for subscribing
You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.Sorry something went wrong with your subscription
Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Coughing more after quitting smoking: What's the deal? ShareTweet Dec. 15, 2021 Show references Is any type of smoking safe? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/is-any-type-of-smoking-safe. Accessed June 27, 2016. Cigars. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/cigars/index.htm. Accessed June 27, 2016. Rodriguez J, et al. The association of pipe and cigar use with cotinine levels, lung function, and airflow obstruction. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2010;152:201. Chang CM, et al. Systematic review of cigar smoking and all cause and smoking related mortality. BMC Public Health. 2015; doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-1617-5. Health risks of secondhand smoke. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/secondhand-smoke. Accessed June 27, 2016. Samet JM. Secondhand smoke exposure: Effects in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed June 27, 2016. Cornacchione J, et al. Adolescent and young adult perceptions of hookah and little cigars/cigarillos: Implications for risk messages. Journal of Health Communication. In press. Accessed June 27, 2016. See more Expert AnswersProducts and Services
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionBook: Mayo Clinic Book of Home RemediesBook: Live Younger LongerBook: Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood PressureNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital EditionSee also
Cancer-prevention strategiesChewing tobaccoHookah smokingMassageQuit smoking: Try stop-smoking productsQuit-smoking productsTobacco cravingsSkin care tipsSmoking and wrinklesNicotine addictionShow more related contentAdvertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad ChoicesMayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE bookOther Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20057787 Healthy Lifestyle Quit smoking Expert Answers Cigar smoking Safer than cigarette smokingMayo Clinic Footer
Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This SiteLegal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage CookiesReprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.HON
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.