Cigars vs. Cigarettes – The Lesser of the Two Evils

There is a growing awareness about the health hazards that are associated with the smoking of both cigars and cigarettes, especially the ill-effects of passive smoking. The most debated and controversial question remains as to which is the worse between the two. There are several speculations made which suggest cigars being slightly better than cigarettes. However, whether these speculations hold any firm ground is still a matter of great discussion. Talks on the heated topic of whether cigar smokers have an advantage over cigarette smokers reveal several surprising points. A Measure of the Extent In this whole controversy, there is a basic fact pointed out by the National Cancer Institute. Research and surveys by the National Cancer Institute indicate that the health troubles due to both cigarettes and cigars are directly proportional to the frequency of smoking. The Institute states that what makes the fundamental difference is not whether a smoker smokes a cigar or a cigarette, but how much does he smoke either of them. One important fact is that those people who smoke cigarettes everyday are at a greater risk of developing cancer than people who smoke a cigar once in several days. However, the other side of the story is that cigars contain many more carcinogenic factors than cigarettes. It is also believed that cigar smoke is more toxic and dangerous than cigarette smoke. This is due to the simple reason that cigars are bigger in size than cigarettes, and thereby produce more smoke. Every Breath You Take There is a lot of talk raging about the issue of breathing in the very harmful nicotine from cigars as well as cigarettes. There are several die-hard and devoted cigar users argue that cigars are less dangerous than cigarettes. This is because cigars do not require the smoker to inhale as much toxic substances as much in cigarettes. The National Cancer Institute has a very simple theory. It suggests that both cigar as well as cigarette smokers are exposed to carcinogenic substances, irrespective of whether they inhale or not.  Even without inhaling, smokers still have a great risk to their body parts like mouths, tongues, larynxes, and throats from carcinogenic substances. In fact, merely holding an unlit cigar or cigarette between your lips can cause damage to the health of the individual. It is very easy for the carcinogenic factors to enter the body of an individual. If the cigar or the cigarette touches the saliva, even momentarily the carcinogens are swallowed immediately. These carcinogens affect organs like the throat, larynx, and esophagus adversely. This risk is present in both, the cigarette as well as cigar smokers. Thus both forms of smokers are at an equal risk of developing oral and esophageal cancers.  It is possible to minimize the health risks due to cigars and cigarettes if frequency of smoking is controlled. The hazards of smoking arise from the normal habit of the smokers to inhale deeply and smoke on a regular basis. This results in developing greater risk of larynx cancer. To explain this fact, the National Cancer Institute clarifies that the risk of lung cancer is equal in someone who smokes five cigars a day and inhales moderately to someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes a day. Smoking with great self-control is the only way out.

 

< Prev		Next >