The act of smoking a cigar is often perceived differently from smoking a cigarette, sometimes carrying the misconception that it presents a lower health risk. A common belief is that merely puffing on a cigar limits exposure to harmful substances. However, cigar smoke contains the same toxic and addictive compounds found in cigarettes. Understanding the specific consequences of inhaling this smoke is important for assessing the true health impact of the habit.
Chemical Differences in Cigar Smoke
The smoke produced by a cigar differs significantly from cigarette smoke due to the tobacco’s preparation and structure. Most cigar tobacco is air-cured and undergoes a long fermentation process. This results in a higher concentration of nitrogen compounds, leading to an increased presence of carcinogens like tobacco-specific nitrosamines. This fermentation also contributes to the distinctively high, alkaline pH of most cigar smoke.
This alkalinity is a defining chemical characteristic because it allows nicotine to exist in its un-ionized, or freebase, form. Freebase nicotine is easily absorbed through the mucous membranes lining the mouth. This means a person can absorb substantial amounts of nicotine even without drawing the smoke into the lungs. Despite this oral absorption pathway, the overall volume of smoke produced by a single large cigar is substantial, often containing as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
The smoke also contains higher levels of toxic substances compared to cigarette smoke, including more tar and carbon monoxide. When this dense, highly concentrated smoke is inhaled, it introduces a massive dose of irritants and toxins directly into the respiratory system. Unlike most cigarettes, cigars generally lack filters, resulting in the direct delivery of these combustion products into the airway.
Acute Physiological Effects of Inhaling
Inhaling cigar smoke leads to several immediate, short-term physiological reactions as the body attempts to cope with the sudden influx of toxins. The smoke is harsh and heavy, immediately causing irritation in the throat and lungs, which often manifests as a cough or a burning sensation. This physical discomfort is one reason why many cigar smokers avoid deep inhalation.
The rapid absorption of nicotine from the inhaled smoke, combined with the high volume of smoke, causes a quick spike in the user’s plasma nicotine concentration. This sudden dose can trigger signs of acute nicotine toxicity, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea, especially in individuals not accustomed to smoking. Simultaneously, the inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) increases the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. This effectively reduces the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen, which contributes to lightheadedness.
The cardiovascular system reacts almost immediately to the exposure. Studies show that inhaling cigar smoke causes a rapid increase in heart rate. This acute response is the body’s reaction to the nicotine and carbon monoxide, placing immediate strain on the heart muscle.
Chronic Health Consequences
The regular practice of inhaling cigar smoke significantly elevates the risk of developing several serious, long-term systemic diseases. When smoke is drawn into the lungs, the risk of developing lung cancer increases substantially. Mortality rates for inhaling cigar smokers approach those seen in cigarette smokers due to the direct and prolonged exposure of the lung tissue to the high concentration of carcinogens.
Inhalation exacerbates the risk of several other cancers, including cancers of the esophagus, larynx, mouth, and throat. The combination of direct exposure to the upper airways and the systemic absorption of toxins drives this widespread cancer risk. Beyond cancer, the respiratory system suffers chronic damage, leading to the development of obstructive lung diseases.
Inhaling cigar smoke is a known factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These conditions cause irreversible damage to the airways and air sacs, resulting in persistent shortness of breath and limited airflow. The cardiovascular system is also severely impacted, facing an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and the formation of aortic aneurysms.