| If you have ever smoked and even if you have not, | | | | inhaling the smoke and so then they are not getting as |
| we are all bombarded with warnings, commercials, and | | | | much of the toxins. However, The National Cancer |
| other media advertising telling us how bad cigarette | | | | Institute's research actually shows that both cigars and |
| and cigar smoking is for us and others. They can both | | | | cigarettes have carcinogens and anyone smoking is |
| cause cancers and other lung problems. Also, we | | | | then exposed to them. This is whether they inhale or |
| have all heard too that secondhand smoke is bad for | | | | not. Even if you are not inhaling you are still exposing |
| others as well. Is either one of these worse than the | | | | your mouth, gums, tongue, and teeth to the same |
| other though? Are cigars somehow better for you | | | | toxins. The carcinogens are part of the cigarettes and |
| because you do not inhale them, unlike cigars? As it | | | | cigars and so when you hold them, these toxins are |
| turns out neither is good for you and both can cause | | | | escaping. Then when saliva touches either one of |
| the same problems. | | | | these there is transfer and the toxins are still |
| As with anything, how much you smoke either | | | | swallowed. Once swallowed your throat, larynx, and |
| cigarettes or cigars will determine the increased health | | | | esophagus are now exposed to the carcinogens, |
| risk. There was research done at the national Cancer | | | | toxins, and irritants. Whether holding, lighting, or smoking |
| Institute that has shown that the health risks that | | | | a cigar or cigarette both appear to give off |
| cigarettes and cigars created is linked to how often | | | | approximately the same amount. |
| you smoke either of these or both. If you smoke on a | | | | Furthermore, all research to date shows the health |
| daily basis then you are going to run a higher risk of | | | | risks that are associated with cigars and cigarettes |
| developing cancer or other diseases than the person | | | | could be reduced by less smoking and less inhalation |
| who only smokes occasionally. However, there is | | | | when you do smoke. Since, most cigarette smokers |
| evidence that cigars actually much more carcinogens | | | | typically inhale deeply while smoking and smoke on a |
| then cigarettes. Also, cigar smoke has been shown to | | | | more regular basis they usually show up with a higher |
| be much more toxic than any secondhand cigarette | | | | risk of developing health problems. One study by The |
| smoke. Much of the reason for this is that cigars are | | | | National Cancer Institute showed that smoking one |
| larger than cigarettes and then produce more smoke. | | | | pack a day of cigarettes was equivalent to smoking |
| There have also been many other debates | | | | five cigars a day. |
| concentrated on the issues of inhaling nicotine while | | | | Either way really we all know smoking anything can be |
| smoking cigarettes or not inhaling cigars. Very | | | | bad for you. It is not good for your health regardless of |
| dedicated cigar smokers will argue that cigars are not | | | | how often or when you smoke. Deciding to quite all |
| as dangerous as cigarettes because they are not | | | | together would probably be a better idea. |