Cigars as a health risk - 6 scientific facts

Cigars as a health risk. What is this topic doing in an online cigar magazine? Let's get to the bottom of it. I asked 6 questions and received 6 pieces of scientific background information. Please read this article at your leisure.

This topic was updated on 14/08/2024.

What is this topic looking for at Zigarren.Zone?

You might be thinking: „Why is Vasilij writing an article in his online cigar magazine about how harmful cigars can be?“ That's a fair question. Personally, I think that the health aspect does concern us cigar smokers. The WHO's goal is to achieve a zero per cent smoking society. That is also Switzerland's goal.

I interviewed five doctors. None wanted to be mentioned in this article. This is understandable, because all these doctors like to puff cigars regularly (except one, he puffs about four a year). However, I received scientific background information, which I am allowed to use for this article.

The senior doctor looked at me in silence

Before I come to the scientific background information, I would like to tell you a short story.

I was at an event (not a cigar event). A few participants were puffing cigars outside and I joined them. Among them was a senior physician who puffs a few cigars a year. „Vasilij, do you know what cigars do to your body and how do you deal with it?“

I replied: „Yes, I know a little bit. It can cause mouth cancer, throat cancer, I could even get cancer on my fingers. But the risk is much lower than with cigarettes, and there the biggest risk is lung cancer.“

„How often do you smoke cigars?“ he continued. - „Normally about six a week,“ I replied. „When I write tasting reports, it's about 12 cigars a week. On average, about 10 cigars a week.“

He looked at me silently and insistently. I had a bad feeling. „Did I say something wrong?“ I asked him. „No,“ he replied, „these are some real things you know, and you still smoke cigars. That's your free choice, nobody forces you to puff cigars. The risk of throat and mouth cancer is higher than for cigarette smokers who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. This refers to cigar smokers who smoke three to four cigars a day.“ Our cigar group fell silent. „Really?“ someone asked. „Yes, really,“ the doctor replied. (Editor's note: See study under Resources on the topic: Factsheet cigars and cigarillos, Switzerland, 2018).

There are studies on cigars

He continued: „However, there is something else and that is interesting:

There are observations that cigar smoking may even have positive properties because it relaxes people. This wind-down can be beneficial to health. But a doctor will never admit that in public.“ - „May I quote you by name?“ I asked without hesitation. -„No, not by name. But you may quote me.“

Laughter in our cigar group. „There are no studies on how harmful cigars are,“ said one of our group members indignantly. „This health madness is superfluous! If they want to ban cigar smoking, then they should ban sugar and alcohol too!“ The group agreed.

The senior physician held back and simply said: „There are studies on cigars. And the risks Vasilij mentioned are just a few of them. But there are: There are also observations that smoking cigars relaxes you and that in turn can be beneficial for your health.“

Emotional discussion on the health risk of cigars

This topic causes emotional discussions from time to time. I would like to change the perspective a little. Away from denying (or not knowing) - that no studies take cigars into account - and towards looking: What studies are there? What does that mean for me? Do I want to make changes?

What have I changed? Nothing. I have been using the following points since I opened the lounge in Liestal:

-> There is a professional air purifier on the ceiling: 2 filters extract the smoke, clean the air and blow the purified air into the room. See the link under Resources on the topic.

-> I also ventilate: open the balcony door. In winter, I ventilate about once an hour. In summer, when it's over 30 degrees, I also ventilate about once an hour. If the temperatures are moderate, I have the balcony door open all the time.

Cigar moment of pleasure: light up, take the first puff and then: wind down and relax.

6 questions & 6 answers

Cigars as a health risk: Scientific background information

I received a written answer to my questions with scientific background information. You can find more information about cigar studies under Resources on the topic.

Question 1: Is cigar smoking an addiction, like cigarette smoking?

Smoking cigars is also harmful to health. It increases the risk of several types of cancer as well as diseases of the lungs and cardiovascular system. Cigar smoke contains similar harmful substances to cigarettes, sometimes even more. Cigars also contain nicotine, which is addictive.

The fact that cigars are usually puffed does not automatically lead to fewer health risks (at most others in terms of cancers). As cigars are generally consumed indoors, there is also the risk of passive smoking. The type of consumption of cigars differs from that of cigarettes in terms of the duration and frequency of consumption. 

The Swiss Tobacco Products Ordinance designates cigars as tobacco products that are subject to the same provisions as other tobacco products for oral use. This also applies to the pictorial and text warnings.

My comment: As for smoking cigars indoors; I like to be in a lounge as long as the smoke extraction is excellent. As soon as it gets a bit foggy for too long, I like to leave such a lounge. My eyes sting and water, and the air I breathe is very poor indeed. Excellent ventilation is also very important in private rooms. Seek advice from a ventilation specialist.

Question 2: Nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membranes. What happens in the body?

Nicotine reaches the brain within a few seconds of consumption. There it docks onto the acetylcholine receptors. This stimulates an increase in dopamine production, for example. In the «reward centre» of the brain, a feeling of well-being and calmness sets in. In other areas of the brain, nicotine increases alertness and attention.

These processes in the brain lead to activation of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This leads to an increase in gastric juice production and intestinal activity (parasympathetic nervous system) or to an increase in heart rate and increased breakdown of fats and glycogen (sympathetic nervous system).

Nicotine can also lead to increased respiratory rate, increased sensitivity to pain, constriction of the blood vessels (and thus increased blood pressure), a tendency to blood clotting, nausea, nausea and reduced appetite.

The receptors in the brain require nicotine replenishment after a short time. If this is not supplied, withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, irritability and lack of concentration can occur.

My comment on this: I find that interesting. Now I know why I feel good when I smoke cigars. The nicotine flash is also mentioned. Yes, I know that. I had it a few times in my early days. Now I know how to puff cigars so that I don't get a nicotine flash.

Question 3: How do you minimise potential harm when smoking cigars?

Outdoor cigar consumption reduces the dangers of smoking. passive smoking by diluting the smoke with fresh air.

Question 4: What is the difference between addictive satisfaction and cultivated pleasure?

According to the known diagnostic criteria, tobacco dependence is present if three of the six criteria listed below have occurred in the last 12 months:

1 - Strong desire or compulsion to use tobacco.

2 - Limited control over the start, end and amount of consumption.

3 - Withdrawal symptoms when reducing or stopping consumption, as well as consumption to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

4 - Tolerance development: Increasingly higher doses are required to achieve a consistent effect.

5 - Increasing neglect of other activities and interests in favour of consumption.

6 - Continued consumption despite evidence of consequential damage.

My comment: I have never experienced three of these 6 criteria since I started enjoying cigars. How is it for you? Please use the comment function at the end of this article. I occasionally recognise criterion 1 (rarely); I sometimes have a strong desire to enjoy a cigar. Until now, I thought it was about creating a relaxed time. If I think about it carefully, then perhaps it's a combination of „wanting to relax“ and „addiction“.“

Question 5: Hygiene: How do you clean your teeth (they discolour over time) and tongue? What do you do if you have bad breath?

A dentist or dental hygienist can certainly give you a better answer to this question. However, it is very likely that these specialists will recommend that you prevent such discolouration from occurring in the first place, i.e. to stop smoking cigars. This would not only have a positive effect on your oral health.

My comment on this: I asked my dentist. Teeth whitening can help. Depending on the discolouration of the teeth, this is done several times a year. I don't do that. As for the tongue and bad breath: My GP said that bad breath is often caused by poor diet. If it bothers you, you should see your GP. Clean your tongue several times a day with a toothbrush or tongue brush.

Question 6: It is claimed that the last quarter of the cigar is the highly toxic filter. What is meant by this?

The concentration of harmful substances in the last quarter of the cigar has to do with the fact that the combustion process takes place at higher temperatures towards the end of the cigar and therefore more harmful substances (especially carbon monoxide and tar) are released.

Conclusion from the answers

This is my personal realisation: enjoyment in moderation is the right approach. I found the answers to the fourth question interesting: What is the difference between satisfying an addiction and cultivating pleasure? Please also note my comment there.

I also found the answer to question 2 interesting; smoking cigars relaxes me and makes me feel good. However, I didn't know why this happens. The answer to this question also mentions the nicotine flash. Yes, I've actually experienced that. Here is one Article I wrote about nicotine flash.

I also found the studies on cigars interesting; I found the 1999 study from Germany particularly noteworthy (link below to resources on the topic).

Thank you for reading this article and I look forward to your comments. It remains for me to say: HAPPY SMOKE ~ Vasilij

Resources on the topic

Factsheet cigars and cigarillos, Switzerland, 2018

Germany, Study 1999, Risk of lung cancer from smoking cigars, cigarillos and pipes

Swiss Tobacco Products Ordinance

Aireau.ch Switzerland smoke filter, the same product that is used at Zigarren.Zone, from CHF 3,000 or for rent

Smoke filter Europe, the same product that is used at Zigarren.Zone

Article about nicotine flash at Zigarren.Zone, which I wrote