Does smoking cigars cause cancer?

Think about the times you’ve heard the statement, “smoking causes cancer.” For many, the first image that comes to mind is cigarettes. But cigars pose serious health risks, too.

Let’s examine the health risks of cigar smoking, address some misconceptions and ultimately clear the air on whether the use of cigars leads to cancer.

Does smoking cigars cause cancer?

Yes. Smoking cigars has a proven and direct link to an increased likelihood of developing several types of cancer. The most common cancer types associated with cigar smoking are poumon cancer and oral cancer, however cigar smoking can also lead to esophageal cancer and throat cancer.

How are cigars different from cigarettes?

Cigars and cigarettes are two distinctly different tobacco products, differing from each other in composition and size.

Large cigars may be the image many people picture when they think of a cigar, often depicted in movies and pop culture. Large cigars typically contain between five to 20 grams of tobacco, which is roughly the equivalent of an entire pack of cigarettes.

But the most common type of cigar sold in the United States is cigarillos, which make up more than 90% of cigar sales, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Cigarillos are smaller than large cigars, but larger than cigarettes.

Each cigarillo contains about three grams of tobacco, about three times the amount of a cigarette.

Are cigars more or less likely than cigarettes to cause cancer?

In recent years, cigars and cigarettes have developed different social reputations. In the U.S., cigars have become associated with bachelor parties, weddings, golf outings, birthdays and other events. Cigarettes, on the other hand, have become less popular as awareness of their strong link to cancer has increased.

This has led some to believe that cigars must not be as harmful as cigarettes—but make no mistake, cigars are pas a healthier alternative to cigarettes.

Cigar smoke contains the same toxic chemicals and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke. Cigars even contain a higher level of tar than cigarettes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Can I get cancer from secondhand cigar smoke?

Commercial tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals—hundreds of these are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer, according to the CDC.

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand cigar smoke, and experts consider it just as dangerous as secondhand cigarette smoke.

What other health issues are tied to smoking cigars?

According to the CDC, cigar smoking can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Heavy cigar smoking and inhaling cigar smoke deeply may increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

READ MORE | Is hookah worse than cigarettes?

If you have a long history of smoking cigars, talk with your health care provider about lung cancer screening. If screening is recommended for you, you may want to check with your insurance provider to see if it will be covered.

En savoir plus sur ways to reduce your lung cancer risk, as well as lung cancer signs and symptoms.