Surely you have in all likelihood heard of the dangers of second hand smoke intake, and maybe you have questioned if it is as hazardous as inhaling smoke from cigars? Being exhibited to old smoke from cigars, it appears, can be just as perilous, if not more so, than average cigarette smoke.

Secondhand smoke released from tobacco products, such as cigars and cigarettes, is considered environmental tobacco smoke. Research indicates that the smoke from cigars and cigarettes releases many of the same types of irritants. Ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nicotine are just some of the few chemicals that are found in environmental tobacco smoke. Carcinogens such as vinyl chlorine, arsenic, benzene, hydrocarbons, and nitrosammines are also found in the environmental tobacco smoke from cigars and cigarettes. Cigars, because of their size, usually release more environmental tobacco smoke than cigarettes so being around cigar smoke, then, can pose more of a health threat than inhaling secondhand smoke from a lit cigarette.

Even though both cigars and cigarettes release similarly toxic environmental tobacco smoke, there are some key differences between the two which relate to the very different ways that cigars and cigarettes are manufactured. A long process of fermentation and aging takes place in the production of cigars. During the production and fermentation process, large amounts of carcinogens are produced, then once a cigar has been fermented and aged, it is wrapped in a nonporous wrapper that keeps it from burning too quickly. The fermentation process and nonporous wrapper both contribute to the high concentrations of carcinogens in the smoke. Carcinogenic compounds produced during the fermentation process are released when a cigar is lit, which leads to an unclean burn that is high in carcinogens.

Another reason why cigars produce greater amounts of carcinogens is in their girth and length because cigars are simply bigger than cigarettes. Much higher concentrations of toxins and irritants are released because of the greater amount of smoke that is released due to the greater size of the cigar. Since cigars are designed to be smoked alot more slowly than a regular cigarette, cigar smokers should always take their time to enjoy the relaxing experience much more slowly. Longer smoke times obviously result in the creation of alot more smoke. It is advised for all non-smokers to avoid areas where cigars are being smoked so if you smoke cigars, make sure to do so in a well-ventilated area.