Cigar smoking: Safer than cigarette smoking?

Cigar smoking is often considered less dangerous than cigarette smoking. This simply isn't true, however — even if you don't inhale the smoke. Most cigars contain as much nicotine as several cigarettes. A large cigar may contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. Regular cigar smoking increases the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, lip, tongue, throat, esophagus and lung. Regular cigar smoking also increases the risk of heart disease and various lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Secondhand smoke from cigar smoking poses concerns, too. For example, secondhand smoke from cigars contains higher concentrations of toxins than does secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Plus, cigars often burn for longer periods of time, which leads to greater amounts of secondhand smoke in the air. The greater the intensity and frequency of cigar smoking, the greater the risks. Although occasional cigar smoking isn't thought to be as risky as regular cigar smoking, the only safe level of cigar smoking is none at all.