Are Cigars Bad for You?

Cigars typically come with a hefty price tag, which is why they are often considered a classy and luxurious product. Given how expensive they are, people would only smoke them during grand celebrations, family gatherings, and other important occasions in life.

As a cigar smoker, you might assume that it’s generally safer to continue consuming these tobacco products instead of cigarettes. After all, there are fewer studies that link cigars to harmful health risks commonly associated with cigarette smoking. However, you may still wonder if cigars can be harmful to your health, considering they share similar ingredients with cigarettes.

Continue reading below to know if cigars are bad for you or not, as well as learn how different types of cigars may affect your overall health.

How Bad Are Cigars for You?

Before understanding the possible effects of cigars on your health, it’s important to know how these tobacco products are made and processed first.

Unlike most cigarettes that are mass-produced through machines, many cigars in the market today are still made manually. It is somehow linked to the century-old tradition of cigar manufacturers around the world, preserving the culture of cigar-making as a sign of respect to the industry.

Some key processes involved in cigar making include:

• Cultivation of Tobacco: The cigar-making journey begins with the cultivation of tobacco plants. While various varieties can be grown from various places in the world, regions like Cuba, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic stand out due to their ideal soil and climate.
• Harvesting: Tobacco leaves are meticulously harvested, either by hand or using machinery. The timing of harvesting is vital to ensure the leaves possess the desired flavour for quality cigars. The harvesting process starts from the bottom leaves, progressing to the middle ones, and finally, the top leaves, which receive the most sunlight that contributes to their robust flavour.
• Curing: After harvesting, the leaves undergo a stringent curing process. They are air-dried in a controlled environment, reducing their chlorophyll content and revealing their natural sugars, which influence their colour and taste. The leaves are then hung in curing barns with precisely controlled humidity and temperature.
• Fermentation: Fermentation is carried out to further enhance the tobacco’s flavour. The cured leaves are moistened and stacked in bulks or piles until heat builds up, naturally fermenting them. This process can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the tobacco variety and the desired end flavour.
• Aging the Leaves: Once fermentation is complete, the tobacco leaves embark on the aging process. During this phase, the flavours become mellow and the harshness of the leaves diminishes. Aging can last from a couple of years to several decades, significantly impacting the quality and flavour profile of the final cigars.
• Sorting and Stripping: After aging, the leaves undergo a sorting process based on size, colour, and intended use. The veins of larger tobacco leaves are often removed through stripping, making them more suitable for rolling.
• Cigar Rolling: This process, which is traditionally done by hand, involves selecting a binder leaf, adding filler leaves, and rolling them together before wrapping them with the wrapper or outermost leaf that is chosen for its smoothness and appeal. The rolled cigars are then cut to size.
• Quality Control: After rolling the cigars, quality checks are done to ensure each cigar meets specific standards by measuring weight, length, and firmness, as well as testing the draw.
• Aging the Cigar: After rolling and quality control, cigars undergo a second aging process to allow the flavour of the different leaves to meld, enhancing their overall taste.
• Packaging: Finally, the cigars are labelled and packaged in wooden boxes to preserve their condition before being shipped to retailers around the world.

The delicate process of cigar production makes you realize how premium they really are. However, it’s worth noting that most, if not all, parts of cigars are indeed made from tobacco. And based on recent studies on tobacco, most of them raise concerns about the potential harm associated with prolonged inhalation of tobacco smoke. So, does it also apply to cigar smoking?

Unfortunately, yes.

Cigars can be bad for your overall health when you smoke them regularly. Since cigars are made from tobacco, the smoke they produce will immediately release toxic and cancer-causing chemicals once you light one up. Not only the cigar smoke can harm you, but it can also put nonsmokers at risk of developing illnesses due to secondhand smoke from the cigar.

One of the substances that is produced by the cigar smoke is nitrosamines. These compounds are known for causing different types of cancers. They are then found at higher levels in cigar smoke than in cigarette smoke. Another substance that you and others can absorb when you smoke cigars is tar. Tar is also known for causing cancers, which could be fatal if not detected and treated early.

Cigar wrappers are also known to contain higher levels of toxins. 

Since they are less porous than cigarette wrappers, the combustion of tobacco from a cigar is less complete compared to burning cigarette tobacco. This makes the cigar smoke boast higher concentrations of toxins than those found in cigarette smoke.

As you smoke cigars more frequently, you only expose yourself to more toxic substances like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, ammonia, and cadmium. They only put you at risk of developing illnesses such as cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and larynx, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, coronary artery disease, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Are Cigars Bad for You Once in Awhile?

Cigars are typically sold at high prices due to the delicate process of cultivating the tobacco, curing the leaves, rolling the cigars, and aging the final products. All the steps in making cigars allow cigar manufacturers to raise the prices of these tobacco products, which in turn makes the cigar industry profitable, especially in countries where cigars are sold.

Get to know the current status of the cigar industry here.

Now, generally, cigars are composed of entirely tobacco leaves. From the wrappers and binders down to their fillers, every part of these tobacco products is made from tobacco. This is another reason why cigars are considered to be premium.

The wrappers, for instance, are found on the outermost part of the cigars. They typically determine the character and flavour of the cigars. They likewise help cigar smokers know more about the quality of the cigars by looking at their colour.

Fillers, on the other hand, are the wrapped-up bunches of tobacco leaves found inside the wrappers. They take up most of the space inside the cigars and are responsible for their overall draw and burn. Now, holding the fillers together are the binders. Binders are basically rejected wrappers due to the presence of holes, blemishes, discolouration, or excess veins. 

Judging by the composition of cigars, it’s easy to assume that they are truly made from full tobacco. Therefore, as you smoke cigars, your body will surely absorb a certain amount of tobacco smoke substances and compounds, even if you don’t inhale it.

This begs the question of whether cigars can be bad for you, even if you just smoke one once in a while.

Now, many assume that cigar smoking doesn’t cause the health risks associated with cigarette smoking. But the truth is, even if you smoke cigars once in a while, you are still putting yourself at risk of developing serious illnesses and health conditions. 

A cigar smoke has been found to have high levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are mostly comprised of carcinogens or cancer-causing chemicals. This is due to the curing and fermentation of tobacco ingredients used to make cigars. Additionally, cigar smoke has been found to contain high levels of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. 

All these elements have been found to be higher in cigar smoke than those found in cigarette smoke.

One could argue that cigar smoking doesn’t involve inhalation, unlike cigarette smoking. Cigarette smokers, however, who may be switching back and forth between cigars and cigarettes, may end up inhaling the cigar smoke due to habit. 

Even if you don’t inhale the cigar smoke, you are still at risk of getting cancer, especially on your head and neck. This may then impact your tongue, throat, and voice box. You may also develop cardiovascular disease or have a stroke, which can change your life drastically.

As for those who are smoking cigars regularly, you might only be increasing your risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, and lungs. It can also cause pancreatic cancer, heart disease, and other types of lung disease. 

Are Cigars Bad for Your Lungs if You Don’t Inhale?

You might think that smoking cigarettes is similar to smoking cigars. However, it is not somehow true.

You see, cigarettes are meant to be consumed quickly. Given how small they are, you can easily finish smoking a cigarette in a matter of minutes. When you light up a cigarette, expect to inhale the smoke into your lungs in a continuous manner. As you inhale, the smoke gets into your respiratory system deeper, resulting in a quick absorption of nicotine and other chemicals.

Cigars, alternatively, are intended to be smoked and consumed longer and more gradually. A cigarette may be consumed as quickly as 5 minutes. A cigar, alternatively, may take you around 30 minutes to several hours, depending on its size and burn quality. 

When smoking a cigar, you draw the smoke into the mouth and savour its flavours and aromas. You don’t need to inhale the smoke into your lungs to appreciate the cigar. You only let the cigar smoke linger in your mouth before exhaling the whole thing. Inhaling the cigar smoke, after all, can be somehow difficult since it is much thicker and stronger than cigarette smoke.

If you are one of those cigar smokers who strictly adhere to the right practices of smoking these tobacco products, then you might be able to save your lungs from the dangerous compounds of tobacco smoke. So, does it mean you can smoke cigars all you want without getting sick?

The reality, however, is that cigar smoke can still harm you, even if you don’t inhale it. 

Your lungs may be indeed saved from getting damaged due to the absence of cigar smoke inhalation, but other parts of your body may get affected by the smoke. Since cigar smoke will stay in your mouth for a long time, you are only exposing your lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and larynx to smoke and its harmful and cancer-causing chemicals.

Additionally, when your saliva gets mixed with the chemicals found in tobacco smoke, it only exposes your esophagus to carcinogens. These unfortunate exposures account for the risks of getting oral and esophageal cancer, which are often seen among smokers of cigars and cigarettes.

The only good thing about not inhaling cigar smoke is you have a lower chance of developing lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and lung disease compared to those who smoke cigarettes. 

How Bad Are Backwoods Cigars for You?

Many cigar brands are available for purchase in Canada. One of these brands is Backwoods Cigars.

Over the past few years, Backwoods Cigars have become increasingly popular due to the wide variety of flavours offered to cigar enthusiasts and smokers. Some of these flavours include Banana, Honey, Sweet, Original, and many more. One can easily determine the flavours of the Backwood Cigars through their distinctive packaging, which may vary from simple cardboard boxes to elaborate humidor boxes.

The cigars offered by this brand come with a homogenized tobacco leaf wrapper and a short filler tobacco blend. These tobacco ingredients help Backwoods Cigars produce cigar offerings with mild flavours, providing both experienced smokers and new smokers with a truly enjoyable experience.

Now, the flavour profile of Backwoods Cigars may vary based on the type of wrapper used. Some of them offer a light spicy flavour, while others may feature sweet or nutty taste notes.

Currently, Backwoods Cigars are available for sale at NativeSmokes4Less.

Some variants of Backwoods Cigars we currently sell include Honey Berry, Banana, Dark Berry, Honey Bourbon, Sweet Aromatic, Cognac, Honey, Russian Cream, Dark Stout, and Grape. We sell these delectable Backwoods Cigars in single packs of 5 cigars each.

Since you already know how cigars are mostly made, you may already know how they could affect your body, especially if you smoke them regularly. The same health risks, unfortunately, may be present when you opt for Backwoods Cigars.

Backwoods Cigars have been manufactured and produced meticulously, a commitment by the brand to the heritage and culture of cigar rolling. This may even symbolize the brand’s authenticity, rugged individuality, and laid-back lifestyle. But in terms of health risks, Backwoods Cigars may be bad for you if you continuously smoke them.

Like other cigars, Backwoods Cigars also contain the same addictive, toxic and carcinogenic compounds often found in cigarettes and other combustible tobacco products. 

Smoking these cigars regularly will only increase your risk of developing cancers in the throat and mouth, especially the esophagus, larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity. These cigars may also cause adverse health effects like heart disease, lung, bladder, head or neck cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and periodontal disease.

These risks may then be amplified if you inhale the cigar tobacco smoke continuously. 

Cigar smoke is not meant to be inhaled. Instead, it should be kept in your mouth for you to savour its aroma and taste.When you inhale cigar smoke, it may only do more harm to your body, especially to your lungs and other vital organs and body systems.

Despite the risks involved in smoking Backwoods Cigars, you can still enjoy them as long as you consume them properly. If possible, you should not inhale the smoke coming from these cigars to somehow protect your body from the health risks associated with it.

Are Infused Cigars Bad for You?

Cigars continue to become more diverse as time passes. One type of cigars you may probably heard when shopping for these tobacco products is infused cigars.

Infused cigars are tobacco products that have been infused with various essences or oils. The addition of these ingredients provides the cigars with distinctive taste profiles, making them enticing for a wider range of cigar smokers out there. The process of adding flavours to the cigars is done during the curing or aging process, which allows the tobacco leaves to fully absorb the essence.

Some cigars could be sweet, boasting flavours like vanilla, chocolate, or honey. Others, alternatively, may be infused with exotic flavours like coffee, spices, or fruit.

When added with flavours, the infused cigars are expected to give a milder tobacco flavour and a stronger additional flavour from the essences. This is somehow a common trend for cigar brands that desire to capture as many new and even long-time smokers as possible.

Infused cigars may be already altered in terms of their tobacco content. Hence, you may perceive these cigars as a safer option if you want to pick a cigar to smoke regularly.

The truth about infused cigars, however, may sting those who prefer them. Even with the essences added to these cigars, they still have the same addictive compounds found in other types of cigars and cigarettes. Even if they are marketed as a safer type of cigar, infused cigars can be bad for you.

One infused cigar may contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. Smoking this tobacco product may then cause cancers of the lung, oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus. You may also be prone to cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Smoking an infused cigar may likewise cause gum disease and tooth loss, which you don’t want to experience if you are always on the go facing other people.

Remember, the essences added to infused cigars don’t make them less harmful. They are still cigars, which are known for causing harmful illnesses when smoked for a long time. 

Are Cuban Cigars Bad for You?

In the US, the Food and Drug Administration or FDA used to have the authority to manage premium cigars, placing rules and regulations regarding their sale, packaging, and so on. However, numerous cigar industry trade associations, retailers, and manufacturers took steps to challenge the FDA’s jurisdiction over the said cigars, stating that the agency had violated the Administrative Procedure Act. 

In a landmark ruling in 2022, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the cigar industry. The court found that the FDA had indeed acted arbitrarily and capriciously in its decision not to exempt premium cigars from regulating tobacco products.

But two years ago before the said ruling, the US had already banned Cuban cigarsfrom being bought, sold, and used inside the country. Cuban cigars, which are known for being a part of premium cigars, are well-recognized for their meticulous processing and ingredients. Cigar composition plays a major role in this, as the blend of carefully selected tobacco leaves for the wrapper, binder, and filler creates the unique flavor profile and smoothness that make Cuban cigars so coveted. These are the reasons why many cigar lovers in the US and other parts of the world find ways just to gain access to these cigars.

Cuban cigars may seem overrated for some, but they truly hold a special spot in the cigar industry.

They truly boast a flavour profile you won’t easily find from other cigars. The tobacco used to make them has also been cultivated locally in Cuba, a country known for rich and healthy land areas for tobacco plants to grow optimally. 

Aside from high-quality tobacco, the processes involved in making Cuban cigars are top-notch. Most Cuban cigar manufacturers still make their cigars manually, relying heavily on expert cigar rollers to assemble all the tobacco ingredients and roll them into special cigars before aging and packaging them for distribution around the world.

Everything about Cuban cigars is truly premium. But, how about your health?

Cuban cigars are expensive. So, as much as possible, you want to smoke one slowly to get the most out of its content. However, even if you smoke it gradually, you are still exposing yourself to the harmful compounds found in a Cuban cigar. As you take in the tobacco smoke from a Cuban cigar, its substances may still be absorbed by your mouth and get into your system, which can gradually harm your body until you develop serious illnesses. 

As you smoke a Cuban cigar, you may only expose yourself to tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens from its smoke, which are known for causing oral, throat, and lung cancers. They may also cause heart disease and other negative health effects on your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad to smoke a cigar occasionally?

Smoking a cigar occasionally may not be as harmful as smoking it regularly, but it is not without risk. Smoking a cigar, after all, already exposes you to harmful chemicals, which increases the risk of developing oral, throat, and lung cancers. Remember, no level of cigar smoking is entirely safe.

Are cigars worse than smoking?

Cigars may be worse than smoking cigarettes if you inhale cigar smoke. If you inhale cigar smoke continuously, it may only affect your lungs, causing lung-specific diseases. Additionally, you are also exposing other parts of your mouth to the harmful chemicals brought by cigar smoke, increasing your risk of oral, throat, and esophageal cancers.

Is 1 cigar a week bad for you?

Smoking 1 cigar a week can still be bad for you, even without inhaling its smoke. As you smoke this tobacco product, you are only exposing yourself to harmful chemicals that are known to cause oral, throat, and esophageal cancers. The risk may be lower when you smoke frequently, but it is still harmful and bad for your overall health.

How harmful is a cigar?

A cigar can be highly harmful since it contains a huge amount of tobacco, which can release not only highly addictive nicotine but also harmful tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens. When you smoke a cigar regularly, you may be at risk of developing oral, throat, and esophageal cancers. Other diseases like heart disease and lung damage may also occur due to cigar smoking.

Is smoking 1 cigar bad for you?

Yes. Smoking even one cigar already exposes you to harmful chemicals like tar, nicotine, and carcinogens, which puts you at risk of developing oral, throat, and esophageal cancers. 

Are cigars ok if you don’t inhale?

Not inhaling cigar smoke may reduce the risk of lung damage, but it still exposes your mouth, throat, and body to harmful toxins. Hence, cigars should not be considered okay just because you don’t inhale.

Do cigars mess up your lungs?

Yes. Cigars can mess up your lungs if you inhale their smoke. Doing so will only lead to lung damage and increase your risk of getting lung cancer.

Are flavoured cigars bad for you?

Yes. Flavoured cigars are bad for you since they contain the same harmful chemicals and tobacco as regular cigars. The flavouring added to these cigars doesn’t reduce the risks of cancer, heart disease, or respiratory issues.

Are natural cigars bad for you?

Yes. Natural cigars are bad for you because they still contain tobacco and harmful chemicals that are known to cause cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. Even without additives, they can still be harmful to you and others.

Are fake cigars bad for you?

Fake cigars are bad for you since they contain unknown or low-quality materials that may pose additional risks aside from the known health effects of legitimate cigars in the market. These unregulated products can even be more harmful than authentic cigars due to questionable manufacturing processes and sources of ingredients.

Is it bad to smoke fake Cuban cigars?

Yes, smoking fake Cuban cigars is bad because they might contain inferior or unregulated tobacco with unknown additives. The absence of quality control often renders these products more hazardous.

Summary

Cigars, like other tobacco products in the market today, can be harmful to your health since they contain harmfulchemicals like tar, carbon monoxide, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and many more. As you smoke cigars, these chemicals may put you at risk of developing cancers and other health problems, even if you don’t inhale cigar smoke. Inhaling it further escalates the deterioration of your health, which is why it’s important to smoke cigars the right way. 

Regardless of what cigars you are buying, all of them can be harmful to your health. To save yourself from the risks of cigar smoke, it would be best to quit smoking at all. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a wide variety of smoking cessation solutions and steps to help you quit cigars and cigarettes successfully.