Many cigar smokers think that there are far less dangers of cigar smoking than of cigarette smoking, that the danger of cancer is not as high and that cigar smoking is not as addictive as cigarette smoking. At the same time, many researchers are stressing the dangers of cigar smoking, in connection to cancer and to other kinds of diseases and the fact that it can be as addictive as cigar smoking. More and more people are taking up cigar smoking and as part of a general cigar smoking guide it would always be important to stress some significant dangers of cigar smoking as well.

Is Cigar Smoking Addictive?

The nicotine content of cigars is very high, a single cigar can contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, or even more. If cigar smoke is inhaled like cigarettes, it enters the bloodstream through the lungs. And as cigar smokers do not usually inhale smoke they often emphasize the insignificance of the dangers of cigar smoking. However, cigar smoke is more alkaline than cigarette smoke, it breaks down in the saliva and nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. This absorption of nicotine in both cases can make cigars really addictive. Researchers claim thus, that most of the cigar smokers simply become addicted.

Cigar Smoking And Cancer

The dangers of cigar smoking also come up in relation to cancer. Cigar smoking can cause oral, lip, tongue, mouth and throat cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the pancreas and of the bladder. Cigar smoking can double the risk of developing cancers, and those who smoke as many as 3-4 cigars daily, increase the risk of oral cancer by 8 times, for example. The risk of lung cancer is slightly less than the risk for cigarette smokers as many do not inhale cigar smoke. The dangers of cigar smoking regarding developing cancers is really significant, as can be seen, so those smoking cigars should decide if the enjoyment of cigar smoking is worth these dangers.

Other Developing Illnesses

The dangers of cigar smoking can be seen in other possibly developing diseases as well. Cigar smoking increases the risk of coronary heart diseases by 27 percent and smokers are at a 45 percent increased risk of chronic obtrusive lung diseases. Cigar smoking is often linked to early tooth loss as well, a research concluded that those smoking cigars were 30 percent more likely to lose their teeth than nonsmokers. Cigar smoking can cause erectile dysfunction as well, smokers are twice as likely to be impotent as nonsmokers, as smoking affects the nervous system and circulation.