A cigar is a roll of dried and fermented tobacco that is wrapped in a tobacco leaf or material containing tobacco, distinguishing it from a cigarette, which is typically wrapped in paper. Nicotine is the primary addictive compound found in tobacco, and cigars contain substantial quantities of this substance. The total amount of nicotine within a cigar can vary dramatically, depending on its size, type, and the blend of tobacco used in its construction.
Nicotine Content by Cigar Type and Size
The total amount of nicotine found in a cigar is highly dependent on its physical dimensions and the volume of tobacco it holds. Smaller cigars, often called cigarillos, generally contain between 5 to 50 milligrams (mg) of nicotine. In contrast, a single large, traditional cigar can contain anywhere from 100 to 200 mg of nicotine, with some exceptionally large varieties measuring up to 400 mg or more.
This substantial difference means a single premium cigar may contain as much total nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes, which typically contains 8 to 20 mg of nicotine per cigarette. The sheer mass of tobacco is the main contributor to this high content, as large cigars can hold over 20 grams of tobacco, compared to less than one gram found in a typical cigarette.
Factors Influencing Nicotine Levels
The variation in nicotine content is influenced by both the agriculture and the manufacturing processes used to produce the cigar. The specific variety of tobacco leaf and the region in which it is grown impacts the concentration of nicotine present in the raw material. For example, leaves from the upper part of the tobacco plant, such as ligero, are exposed to more sunlight and tend to have a higher nicotine concentration than lower leaves.
The post-harvest process of fermentation and aging also modifies the final nicotine level. Fermentation can cause the nicotine to break down into simpler molecules, which may slightly reduce the total content. Furthermore, the wrapper material, which is a whole tobacco leaf in traditional cigars, contributes measurable quantities of nicotine to the final product.
Nicotine Absorption and Delivery
The way nicotine is delivered and absorbed from a cigar is fundamentally different from a cigarette, primarily due to the chemical environment of the smoke. Cigar smoke is generally more alkaline, or higher in pH, than cigarette smoke, which allows the nicotine to exist in its un-ionized, or free-base, form. This free-base nicotine is easily absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the mouth, a process known as buccal absorption.
Because of this efficient oral absorption, cigar smokers do not need to inhale the smoke deeply into the lungs to receive a dose of nicotine. Even without inhalation, the high concentration of nicotine in the smoke allows significant amounts to enter the bloodstream through the mouth. The extended smoking time of a large cigar means that the total quantity of nicotine ultimately absorbed can be substantial, despite the slower absorption rate through the mouth compared to the lungs.