Which is the lesser of two evils - cigars or cigarettes?

Question

. . . in terms of detriment to health. My friend says cigars are pure tobacco w/o all the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. I always thought cigars would be more dangerous to your health, as they seem "concentrated." Anyone know?

Answer 1

Cigarettes are better.

This info came from research, not experience.

Smoking cigars can cause cancer and other tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking cigars is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. 1,2

The health risks associated with both cigars and cigarettes are strongly linked to the amount of smoke exposure. The different health risks between those who smoke cigars and cigarettes are likely to be related simply to differences in daily use and level of inhalation, as the composition of the smoke from cigars and cigarettes includes many of the same toxic and cancer causing compounds. 3

Studies show that smokers who have switched from cigarettes to cigars are more likely to inhale cigar smoke into their lungs. Cigar smokers who inhale are at a much higher risk for all major smoking related diseases. 1,2

For people who smoke five cigars a day and moderately inhale the smoke, their lung cancer risk is comparable to that from smoking up to one pack of cigarettes a day. 3

Cigar smokers have a similar level of risk for oral, throat and oesophageal cancers to that of cigarette smokers. 1,2 Whether or not they inhale, all cigar and cigarette smokers directly expose the lips, mouth, tongue, throat and larynx to smoke and its carcinogens. Even holding an unlit cigar between the lips will expose these areas to carcinogens. 3

Cigars and cigarettes differ in the size and type of tobacco used. Cigarettes tend to be more uniform in size and contain less than one gram of tobacco each, whereas cigars vary in size and shape. Large cigars typically contain between five and 17 times the amount of tobacco as cigarettes. Some premium cigars contain the same amount of tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes. 1,3

The smoke from the burning tip of the cigar produces more toxic and cancer causing compounds than cigarette smoke when equal amounts of tobacco from cigarettes and cigars are burnt. 2 Compared to a cigarette, a large cigar releases up to 20 times more ammonia, five to 10 times more cadmium (a cancer-causing metal) and a cancer-causing agent called methylethylnitrosamine, plus around 80 to 90 times more of the carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines. 1,4

Cigarettes have an average nicotine content of about 8.4 milligrams. Many brands of cigars contain at least 10 to 20 times that amount and some can contain 50 times the amount of nicotine as cigarettes. 3

When cigar and cigarette smokers inhale, the nicotine is absorbed rapidly. For cigar smokers who do not inhale, the nicotine is still absorbed - predominantly through the lining of the mouth rather than through the lung. Nicotine absorbed through the lining of the mouth is still capable of forming a powerful addiction. Both inhaled and non-inhaled nicotine can be addictive. 1,3

Answer 2

Yes, I agree. If you HAVE to choose, cigars are the lesser health hazard.
Your friend's argument is valid, I think. There are no added chemicals or paper in cigars. I have been to a cigar factory in Cuba and as far as I could find out, at least in that factory all raw materials were pure natural tobacco.
A second argument is that people who smoke cigars, generally do not inhale and it is common knowledge that inhaling is very bad for you health. Obviously, this argument is not valid for "second hand smoke".
Conclusion: Cigars are less harmful to smoke than cigarettes, but not smoking is best.

Answer 3

Cigars

Answer 4

Assuming you are not inhaling the cigar, I would say cigars are less harmful mainly because I have always felt them to be less addictive and it is the addiction that is most harmful to your health. Both suck, my mother died of emphysema and my grandfather is dying right now and he has to ride in a scooter and he sometimes can't breathe and needs to sit down for long periods of time. It's not worth it.

Answer 5

Well considering the fact that when you smoke a cigarette you fully inhale the smoke...whereas with a cigar you merely "puff" the smoke without inhaling into your lungs...I would assume that cigarettes are more detrimental to your lungs' health and both will give you yellow tongue and nasty breath.

However I must admit, I always seem to run away from cigar smokers...stinky!

Answer 6

Cigarettes, however that being said, cigars do do damage to the tounge and mouth.

Answer 7

They're both very bad. Cigars are BIG... create ALOT more smoke in the room that you will inhale... ALOT more poisons that you'll swallow... and the tobacco comes in direct contact with your mouth. Stay away from both.

Answer 8

I think cigars are less dangerous because people tend to smoke less of them.

Answer 9

Which is worse, oral or lung cancer? They are both bad. And a kiss from a smoker is like licking an ashtray, cigar or cigarette.

Answer 10

well u dont inhale cigars so they dont do damage to lungs or heart or anything however u can get like tongue and throaght cancer, ciggarettes are waaaay worse