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We have all heard about the dangers of breathing in other people’s smoke and a great many individuals wonder if the hazards of inhaling cigar smoke are just as dangerous, or more so. Being exhibited to secondhand smoke from cigars, it appears, can be just as unsafe, if not more so, than normal cigarette smoke.

Secondhand smoke released from tobacco products, such as cigars and cigarettes, is considered environmental tobacco smoke. Many of the same irritants released in cigar and cigarette smoke have many of the same properties, research indicates. Environmental tobacco smoke from cigars and cigarettes contain carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nicotine, and ammonia. Carcinogens such as vinyl chlorine, arsenic, benzene, hydrocarbons, and nitrosammines are also found in the environmental tobacco smoke from cigars and cigarettes. Cigars, because of their size, usually release more environmental tobacco smoke than cigarettes so being around cigar smoke, then, can pose more of a health threat than inhaling secondhand smoke from a lit cigarette.

There are some key differences between the way cigars and cigarettes are manufactured, even though they release similiarly toxic environmental tobacco smoke. The production of cigars consists of fermentation and aging, which is a very long process. During the production and fermentation process, large amounts of carcinogens are produced, then once a cigar has been fermented and aged, it is wrapped in a nonporous wrapper that keeps it from burning too quickly. High concentrations of carcinogens in the smoke can be attributed to the fermentation process and nonporous wrapper in the cigar. When a cigar is lit, the carcinogenic compounds produced during the fermentation process are released so the nonporous wrapper also contributes to an unclean burn that is high in carcinogens.

The other reason why cigars produce higher amounts of carcinogens than a normal cigarette is simply because of their greater girth and length. Their size allows them to release much more smoke, and in turn, much higher concentrations of toxins and irritants. Since cigars are designed to be smoked alot more slowly than a regular cigarette, cigar smokers should always take their time to enjoy the relaxing experience much more slowly. This results in longer smoke times, and obviously, the creation of much more smoke. For the health of cigar smokers, it is advised that you smoke in well-ventilated areas, and for non-smokers alike, it is advised that you avoid areas where cigars are being smoked altogether!

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