The Lesser of Two Evils: Cigars Versus Cigarettes

Contrary to what most people believe, cigars are not safer to smoke than cigarettes, and cigarettes cannot be any safer than cigars. When people refer to cigar smoking as a better choice, it usually goes with the fact that cigar smokers are only occasional smokers. The reality that majority of people who smoke use cigarettes also adds to this misinterpretation, making it more unclear to us which is actually the safer choice. To better understand why smoking cigar may be just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes, here are the reasons that we need to know:

1. Tobacco, the main component of cigars, is known as harmful to man. Since tobacco is found in more ample amounts in cigars than in cigarettes, it is one reason that proves that cigars are no safer than cigarettes. Studies show that a single cigar has more tobacco than a whole pack of cigarettes. The lesser the tobacco, the less harmful it is.

2. Cigarettes have been identified by experts to contain lesser nicotine. Cigars have 100 to 200 milligrams of nicotine when compared with 8 milligrams. This again shows the danger of cigar when compared to cigarettes.

3. The possibility of acquiring cancer is huge with a person who smokes one cigar a day. Since tobacco contains harmful substances, it is not surprising that it can cause cancers. Lung cancer, as well as cancer of the pancreas is common in cigar smokers.

4. Cigar smoke is more toxic than cigarette smoke. Studies show that cigars undergo fermentation, which produces the most cancerous elements. Cigar wrappers are also less porous than cigarette wrappers due to combustion, which, if done properly, decreases the amount of harmful elements in a cigar or cigarette.

5. Cigar smoking is associated with sterility or the condition of being unable to reproduce sexually, mostly in men. It is also associated with erectile dysfunctions and similar problems. This is probably due to the harmful components of cigars that are penetrating the hormones.

These are only some of the harmful and possibly fatal effects of cigar and cigarette smoking. It does not matter whether you choose a cigar or a cigarette; the point is that both can harm you and may have serious effects on your health. The worst part is that, smoking not only involves your health, but also the innocent young children and all the secondhand-smokers around you. It is not entirely wrong to smoke, but we should keep in mind that we are putting ourselves and our loved ones in danger with it.