Health Issues from Cigar Smoking?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Charming Karl, Cookie King on September 29, 2008 at 12:54am

Justin,
A good question imho. It is good to go into the venture of cigar smoking knowing the risks. I have been smoking cigars off and on for about 17 years. If I smoke only once a week or less, other than a little tightening in my breathing and a dry throat (maybe also a little sore) the next morning, I feel ok. When I smoke more often, then my chest will feel a little tight all the time. Also, you know that smoking constricts the blood vessels, and when I smoke more often my lower legs feel stiffer/tighter.

But as Ross said, this does not compare with the effects of inhaling. I have smoked pot, and one year smoked pretty frequently. After 6 days in a row of smoking pot, my lungs literally hurt. More recently I smoked hookah for the first time, and though it felt very smooth going down, the next day I felt worn out, and my chest was tighter than usual.

I encourage you to read up on the results of studies, but consider the source(s) and take it all with a grain of salt. One of the famous statements often repeated is that, because a cigar is so much bigger than a cigarette, smoking one cigar is like smoking a whole pack of cigarettes. But this does not account for the different kind of tobacco used in cigars, how the tobacco is treated, and how the cigar is smoked. So it's a ridiculous thing to say. That's just one example of the kind of inflammatory statements often made to try and discourage people from smoking. But if you sift through the garbage, I think you can find some good factual evidence to give you an idea of what the risks are.

Good luck, and if you find something you find useful, I would be grateful if you would share it with the rest of us.

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Permalink Reply by notyeraveragechick on September 29, 2008 at 9:52am

Moderation, Moderation, Moderation, my friend.
You, alone, will know if you are smoking too many cigars. How many is "too many"? I have noticed on weekends, when I tend to be in more social situations, if i smoke more than 4 in a day, I definitely feel different at the end of the day then when I started out that morning! If you feel significantly different at the end of the day, then I'd venture to say you may have had "too many".
Are they harmful to you? Well I can't say they're "healthy" for you like eating your veggies. I definitely feel more relaxed after smoking a cigar....and anything that reduces stress, imho, is a big PLUS in the health department.
I have yet to see any credible data that indicates that they are horrible for you. The anti-smoking movement has bloated and manipulated their less-than-factual data to serve their purposes. I have yet to find any obit that says Somebody Soenso died directly from smoking. But, I'm going to stop there before I jump into a tangent.......
Be your own judge. Your body will tell you if you have smoked too many cigars that day. Learn from that and judge accordingly the next day. One day of over-zealous cigar smoking is not likely to cause permanent damage any more than an occasional hangover from too much alcohol.
Just as a matter of fact, our daughter is asthmatic...to the point in which she had to stop playing softball and firefighting until they get it under control. She came to visit one day when there were a few of us smoking in the room. The room was pretty thick with smoke and she had no problem. Cigar smoke doesn't bother her. Had the same visit occurred in a room full of cigarette smokers, we'd have been rushing her to the ER for a breathing treatment.

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Henrich on September 29, 2008 at 10:22am

Justin,
Here are the facts as I know them to be (and if I'm wrong, someone correct me). Cigars smokers have a less chance of getting lung cancer as a byproduct of smoking cigars, because we (as a majority) do not fully inhale the cigars. Simply put, because the smoke rarely reaches our lungs, we have a much lesser chance of lung cancer.
As far as lip and mouth/cheek cancer goes...it's kind of a toss up. Most doctors will tell you that smoking in any form is bad and can cause these types of cancer. Because cigar smokers have a tendency to keep the cigars in their mouth for longer periods of time, it would seem logical to assume that lip and mouth cancer is a higher risk. However, this isn't really so. The fact that cigars have no real additives (infusing tobacco does not equate to the cadmium found in snuff) allows the smoker to enjoy pure leaf tobacco without fear of inhaling pollutants.
The other main thing to note when comparing cigarettes to cigars is frequency of smoking. The average cigarette smoker puffs about 1-2 packs a day, every day. That's a high average of 280 cigarettes a week or almost 15,000 cigarettes a year! A heavy cigar smoker on average will light up 2-3 stogies a day. That's less than 1200 cigars a year. So who do you think stands the greater chance of acquiring cancer or other health problems?
Basically, due to pureness of tobacco, lack of inhalation and a reduced frequency of smoke, I would say you stand no more health risk smoking a cigar (or pipe) than you do just living.
Light up, puff out and enjoy your smokes!

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Permalink Reply by PROZAC on September 29, 2008 at 4:58pm

It's a choice an adult makes when they light up...Stress will kill me before cigars will. I'm not a doctor but I'm a moderate to light smoker and was going to quit at one point but enjoy them too much.

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Permalink Reply by charlie on October 1, 2008 at 1:39am

I agree with, notyeraveragechick's comment about moderation. Any foreign substance that is introduced to the body will have negative effects if it is used excessively. Moderation is the key. I decided to cut back my stoagie and alcohol consumption in 2004 due to the increase in my blood pressure and shortness of breath. Now I'm able to truly enjoy my passion for cigars and drinks without going over board. My biggest problem is not being able to sit down at my favorite bar and have a pint of ale with my cigar!! Is this still America?!
Anyway, I think its great for a young guy to be concerned about health issues and you should continue your research. But don't get caught up in all of the anti-smoking campaign BS because most of that information is based on statistics, not scientific studies!

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Permalink Reply by Wayne on October 1, 2008 at 8:51am

There was a lively discussion one time on this subject, sadly the person that posted it has stopped posting and removed his discussions. Part of the history of this site was lost when he did that. :(

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Permalink Reply by Harleyrider on October 1, 2008 at 11:07am

So far, knock on wood, I haven't had any health problems from smoking cigars (except for occasional, temporary tongue and/or throat irritation). I posed a similar question on another forum some time in the past year or two, asking about any cigar smokers who had actually gotten cancer. I can remember only one person posting that a cigar smoker he know had come down with it. FWIW.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne on October 1, 2008 at 3:26pm

I remember our discussion. It was Oral Pharyngeal cancer.
His name was Sandy and was an avid cigar smoker, cigarette smoker and Harley rider (log truck driver by trade).

:(

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Permalink Reply by Harleyrider on October 1, 2008 at 3:27pm

Great memory, Wayne. Yeah, the "Harley rider" part really struck home, for obvious reasons...

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Permalink Reply by Wayne on October 1, 2008 at 5:18pm

Wow, I can't believe I found this...

Link from the past

If you can still remember your login ;)

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Permalink Reply by Eric E. Parkinson on October 1, 2008 at 3:42pm

Here's my bit on this....

I have smoked cigars for about 17 years. In the last 10 years my smoking "habit" has increased significantly. For the last 4 years, I typically smoke 5-7 cigars, 6 days a week (part of the business....hehehe). My dentist told me, as long as I drink something, whether coffee, water, soda, while smoking, I should have no soft palette issues. Hydration keeps the tissue from drying out and dying, which leads to major problems. Ok, no issues there!

My doctor ran ALL sorts of tests on me and told me I was an above average, healthy 34 y/o NONSMOKER! My blood tests showed very little nicotine, my cholestrol and blood pressure was that of a teenager, my lung capacity was incredibly good (some silly test about blowing in a tube and holding your breath for as long as you can...) and he asked how I stay relaxed.... He almost fell out of his chair when I told him I smoke cigars on a regular basis, and after hemming and hawing, he told me to keep it up.

Cigars are about relaxation, not the addiction to nicotine. I know I'm fine, and I'm pretty sure all of our stress levels decrease when we light up.


Eric

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Permalink Reply by Rome on October 1, 2008 at 4:22pm

i am not as young as Ross...but i can say that my BP does go down when i lite up and pour one or two....as for any other issues....so far i am blessed....the yearly exams have been good..i have the BP of a young man of 27......i have not done any reading on the risks...i figure a little enjoyment keeps me healthy....or it may be those two too three drinks during my smoke...lol..........all seriousness there are time i think about quieting when i hear someone mention a study...then i remember that most studies change after 10 years to the contrary...so i still smoke' em

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