The idea that cigarillos might be a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes is a common belief, often fueled by marketing and regulatory differences. Many people assume that because cigarillos are smaller than cigars, or because they are sometimes smoked differently than cigarettes, they must pose less of a health threat. This perception is inaccurate, as all combustible tobacco products deliver a harmful mix of chemicals and carry serious health risks. An objective comparison of their physical makeup, addictive potential, and health consequences reveals that neither product is a safe choice. This analysis compares these two tobacco products to determine if cigarillos are genuinely “better” than cigarettes.
Product Composition and Design Differences
The most significant distinction between cigarillos and cigarettes is the composition of their outer layer. Cigarettes are typically wrapped in non-tobacco paper, which contains chemicals designed to ensure the product burns consistently and evenly. Cigarillos, which are essentially small cigars, are instead wrapped in a tobacco leaf or a paper-like material that is made from homogenized tobacco.
This tobacco-based wrapper means cigarillos contain a greater total mass of tobacco than a comparably sized cigarette. The internal tobacco filler in cigarettes often includes a blend of different tobacco varieties, along with various additives and chemicals to enhance flavor and shelf life. Cigarillos frequently use air-cured or fermented tobacco, which is also generally used in full-sized cigars, giving them a richer aroma.
Cigarillos often resemble cigarettes in shape and size, sometimes even including a filter, which can blur the line between the two products. They are also frequently infused with appealing flavors like vanilla, cherry, or chocolate, a design feature that increases their appeal, particularly to younger users. These product characteristics contribute to the perception that cigarillos are different from, and perhaps less harmful than, traditional cigarettes.
Nicotine Delivery and Addiction Comparison
Both products deliver nicotine, the highly addictive substance found in tobacco, but the mechanism of delivery differs due to their chemical composition. A single cigarillo can contain significantly more nicotine than a single cigarette. Studies have shown that some small cigars deliver an average of 3.49 milligrams of nicotine per cigar, which is higher than the 2.13 milligrams measured for cigarettes under intense smoking conditions.
The tobacco wrapper used in cigarillos results in a higher pH level in the smoke compared to cigarette smoke. This higher alkalinity causes the nicotine to exist in a free-base form, which can be absorbed directly through the mucous membranes of the mouth, even without inhaling the smoke into the lungs. This oral absorption allows for a rapid and intense nicotine intake, contributing significantly to the product’s addictive potential.
Cigarette smoke, being more acidic, requires deep inhalation into the lungs for efficient nicotine absorption into the bloodstream. Although the nicotine delivery method differs, both products efficiently deliver an addictive dose of nicotine to the user. The high total nicotine content and the potential for rapid oral absorption from cigarillos make them just as capable of causing nicotine dependence as cigarettes.
Comparative Long-Term Health Risks
Neither cigarillos nor cigarettes offer a safer choice, as both expose the user to numerous toxins and carcinogens. Both products create smoke that contains thousands of chemicals, including carbon monoxide, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, and various cancer-causing agents. Regular use of either product significantly increases the risk of lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Cigarillo smoke often contains higher levels of certain toxic substances and more tar than cigarette smoke. The cured and fermented tobacco used in cigarillos results in a higher concentration of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, a potent group of carcinogens. Even if the smoke is not inhaled, the practice of holding the smoke in the mouth for oral absorption exposes the tissues of the head and neck to these harmful chemicals.
This exposure leads to an elevated risk of oral, esophageal, and laryngeal cancers for cigarillo users. Cigarette smokers typically face a higher risk of lung cancer due to deep inhalation. Ultimately, the difference is a slight variation in the pattern of disease risk, emphasizing that both products are highly dangerous.
Regulation and Public Misconceptions
Public perception that cigarillos are less harmful often stems from historical differences in regulation. For example, the 2009 ban on characterizing flavors in cigarettes (excluding menthol) did not initially apply to cigars and cigarillos, creating a regulatory loophole. This exemption allowed cigarillos to be widely sold in flavors like fruit and candy, appealing particularly to younger individuals and new users.
Marketing strategies capitalize on this difference, portraying cigarillos as a more sophisticated or flavorful choice than mass-produced cigarettes. The availability of flavored cigarillos has been shown to act as a substitute for flavored cigarettes, especially following flavor bans. This substitutability means that regulating one product can inadvertently shift consumption to the other, maintaining the overall public health risk.
The perception of difference is compounded by historical taxation and the resemblance of some cigarillos to traditional cigars, which were socially viewed as a less frequent, celebratory product. However, the use of flavors and lower price points have led to increased use among certain demographics. This perpetuates the misconception that cigarillos are a lower-risk option compared to the more heavily regulated cigarette.