Tar is a complex residue that results from burning organic material, and it is present in cigar smoke. This substance is a natural byproduct of tobacco combustion. The key difference between cigars and cigarettes lies not in the presence of tar, but in the total amount generated and how it is delivered. A single large cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes, leading to a much larger potential yield of tar.
Tar Presence and the Combustion Process
The formation of tar is an unavoidable consequence of burning tobacco, a chemical process known as pyrolysis and combustion. When a cigar is lit, intense heat breaks down the tobacco leaf, creating smoke particles that combine with toxic chemicals to form tar. This residue includes the majority of known mutagenic and carcinogenic agents found in tobacco smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Unlike cigarettes, cigars typically do not have filters, meaning the full concentration of combustion byproducts reaches the user. The nonporous nature of the cigar’s wrapper causes the tobacco to burn less completely than the paper-wrapped tobacco in a cigarette. This incomplete burning contributes to a higher concentration of cancer-causing substances and toxins in the resulting smoke.
Comparing Tar Delivery in Cigars and Cigarettes
Comparing the total amount of tar is complex, but on a per-gram-of-tobacco basis, cigar smoke contains more tar than cigarette smoke. The manner in which the products are used alters where the tar settles and is absorbed. Cigarette smoke is generally acidic, requiring it to be deeply inhaled into the lungs for efficient nicotine absorption.
Cigar smoke is often more alkaline, particularly in large, premium cigars. This alkalinity facilitates nicotine absorption through the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. Because of this easier oral absorption, most cigar smokers do not inhale deeply, meaning less tar may be delivered to the lower respiratory tract compared to a cigarette smoker who inhales.
For small cigars and cigarillos, the smoke pH can be closer to that of cigarettes, encouraging users to inhale the smoke and increasing deep lung exposure risks. Even without inhalation, the sheer volume of tobacco in a large cigar can yield a total amount of tar equivalent to or greater than that from a pack of cigarettes.
Specific Health Impacts of Cigar Tar
Regardless of inhalation habits, the tar and toxic chemicals in cigar smoke directly expose the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and larynx. This direct exposure significantly increases the risk for cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus, a risk similar to that faced by regular cigarette smokers. When saliva containing the smoke’s carcinogens is swallowed, the esophagus is also exposed.
While cigar smoke is often not inhaled, the particulate matter still contributes to chronic lung diseases in regular users. Daily cigar smokers have an increased risk for conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis (COPD). The toxic compounds, including tar, also increase the risk for heart disease and cardiovascular problems.