Many people wonder if the perils of breathing in cigar smoke is just as hazardous as the hazards of inhaling second hand smoke, or more so. Regrettably, it appears that being exposed to used smoke from a lit cigar can be exactly as dangerous, or more, than standard cigarette smoke.

All secondhand smoke emitted by tobacco products are classified as environmental tobacco smoke where environmental tobacco smoke refers to all the secondhand smoke released from tobacco products that are lit, such as cigars or cigarettes. 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. In fact, due to their greater size, cigars actually emit more environmental tobacco smoke than cigarettes do, causing more of a health threat.

Even though both cigars and cigarettes release similarly toxic environmental tobacco smoke, there are some key differences between the two which relate to the very different ways that cigars and cigarettes are manufactured. A long process of fermentation and aging takes place in the production of cigars. Once a cigar has been fermented and aged properly during the cigar production process, it is wrapped in a nonporous wrapper to keep it from burning too rapidly. The fermentation process and nonporous wrapper both contribute to the high concentrations of carcinogens in the smoke. Carcinogenic compounds produced during the fermentation process are released when a cigar is lit, which leads to an unclean burn that is high in carcinogens.

Because of their greater size than a normal cigarette, girth and length are the other reasons why a cigar produced greater amounts of carcinogens. Much higher concentrations of toxins and irritants are released because of the greater amount of smoke that is released due to the greater size of the cigar. Also, cigars are designed to be smoked much more slowly than regular cigarettes, and cigar smokers are encouraged to take their time and enjoy the relaxing experience. Longer smoke times obviously result in the creation of alot more smoke. It is advised for all non-smokers to avoid areas where cigars are being smoked so if you smoke cigars, make sure to do so in a well-ventilated area.

Posted: January 7th, 2009 under food.
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