Is Cigar Smoking a Safe Alternative to Cigarettes?
People are trying everything you can imagine to kick the habit of cigarette smoking. They substitute a number of different things to help them quit, such as gum, candy and others. Many people have been able to quite smoking cigarettes by taking up cigar smoking.
For years, people have assumed that smoking cigars is a safer alternative to cigarettes. This isn't the only reason cigar smoking is gaining in popularity. Just like with cigarettes, years ago, there is an image associated with cigar smoking.
More and more people are smoking cigars today than ever before, especially younger to middle aged men. An increasing number of women are even getting into the act. In some circles, cigar smoking is a type of status symbol.
Whatever the reason, people generally feel like they are not doing as much harm to their bodies with cigars as they would with cigarettes. There is also a belief that cigars are not as addictive as cigarettes. Cigars are typically not inhaled, as cigarettes are, so one would assume that these claims are true. If you look a little deeper, though, there is more to cigar smoking than meets the eye.
Cigar Addiction
Can you be addicted to cigars? The answer may surprise you. Nicotine is the component of cigarette smoke that makes them so highly addictive. Research shows that cigars contain many times the amount of nicotine that is found in cigarettes. Cigars have enough nicotine in them to become addicted from smoking just one a day.
Health Risks
Again, since there is no inhalation, people believe cigar smoking eliminates the risk of certain cancers that are caused by cigarette smoking. It is true that your risk of lung cancer will be reduced, but cigars are associated with different kinds of cancer.
Since the smoke is usually held in the mouth or throat, the risk of oral or throat cancer is greatly increased over that of cigarette smoking. Instead of being sucked into the lungs, all of the nicotine and cancer causing agents are being absorbed into the mouth and throat. Cigar smoking also increases your risk of heart disease.
Another reason people are misled about the dangers of cigar smoking is that the manufacturers are not required to put warnings on the packaging like cigarettes. It's easy to see why someone would assume they are better off with cigars. However, after you look at the facts, you are in just as much danger, and in some cases more than you would be by smoking cigarettes.
