Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people smoking cigars. This trend has been promoted in film, TV, magazines and at public cigar parties. The publicity portrays cigar smoking as a glamorous, mainstream hobby. Many people have come to believe that cigar use is relatively harmless. Exactly the opposite is true. Cigars can be more addictive than cigarettes and the secondhand smoke can be more poisonous than cigarette smoke.

• The smoke from cigars is absorbed directly through the tissues in the mouth. This greatly increases the risk of cancer of the mouth and tongue.
• Cigars burn "cooler" resulting in up to 25 times more carbon monoxide than a cigarette.
• Tar and nicotine levels are much higher in cigars than in cigarettes.
• The cancer-causing agents found in cigarettes are also found in cigars.
• The rate of lung cancer is three times higher among cigar smokers than non-smokers.
• The rate of lung caner is nine times higher among cigar smokers who also smoke cigarettes.

Young adults account for much of the current increase in cigar use. More women are now smoking cigars. Some health advocates believe that cigars will emerge as a real health concern; others think that cigar smoking is a fad. The results of any tobacco use are chronic health problems and at worst death. The facts about cigar smoking are far from glamourous. The health risks to cigar smokers make the hobby a very dangerous pursuit. 

For more information about tobacco use, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3612.