Absolutely agree. I'm a lot more concerned about things I breathe at work (bus engine exhaust, chemical fumes) or at the railway museum (solvents, paint overspray, sawdust and metal grinding dust) than about my periodic cigars.
[Reply]

There have been NUMEROUS studies done on cigar smoking and health over the years. I have a link at home with most of those studies and the conclusions listed.

The greatest majority of those studies come to similar conclusions. When talking about ONLY smoking cigars...no alcohol involved. There has been no direct correlation to cancers and smoking 3 or less cigars per day.

It has been shown though that moderate cigar smoking with alcohol abuse can indeed increase the risk of cancers...more of a risk than the alcohol abuse alone.

Also, cigarettes contain many more toxins...and despite less nicotine have a delivery system that allows nicotine to cross the blood brain barrier faster. There is no doubt from personal experience cigarettes are much more addictive. Even 4 cigarettes a day have been linked to numerous disease processes.

My opinion when it comes to cigar smoking...smoke like you should do everything else...in moderation. Even too much exercise has been linked to disease...too much water can kill you...and if you smoke 7-8 cigars a day you have to know that it isn't good for you.
[Reply]

Now wait just a gosh darn minute here . . . there are people who think smoking is BAD?!?
[Reply]

I've heard this correlation before. How is "alcohol abuse" defined?
[Reply]

Very good question. I will look again at the study when I get home but I don't believe it was defined. I would personally guess abuse is defined much like the C.A.G.E. questions for alcoholism assessment...which is 14 drinks/week. I do not know this as fact and I will check tommorow.
[Reply]

What about the alcohol combined with a cigar increases cancer risk? I'd be interested to know.
[Reply]

We're treading dangerously close to turning this political here....but, I think it's the government doing the crying for more government invlovement, not us.
[Reply]

I don't know how cool you've got to be to read the Sunday paper?
:-):-)
[Reply]

As cool as me.....I rarely miss one:-)
[Reply]

Hey Ranit, salt will kill you too, whats your *&^%$#@ point?
[Reply]

Good read! I had no idea my cigars had so much wonderful Vitamin N!:-)
[Reply]

I've wondered about this myself...I figure either it increases absorption of something malevolent from the cigar (or combines with it in the bloodstream), or makes hazardous practices (e.g. inhaling the smoke) more likely.

As to mouth/throat issues, sometimes I wonder if the heat of the smoke (esp. towards the end) and consequent burn/cell regeneration issues could be a factor to lips, mouth lining etc.
[Reply]

The mighty spin. Reminds me of a local town. Newspaper said the murder rate was up 100% from last year. Something to gasp at?? Well, 2 murders this year, one last.
[Reply]