Fact Sheet

Cigars

(updated March 2007)

Cigars contain the same toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarettes and are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.¹

Large cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars are the three major types of cigars sold in the United States.¹

In 2005, cigar sales in the United States rose 15.3%² and generated more than $2.9 billion in retail sales.²

Health Effects

Regular cigar smoking is associated with an increased risk for cancers of the lung, oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus.^1,3
Heavy cigar smokers and those who inhale deeply may be at increased risk for developing coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.^1,3

Current Estimates

In 2005, an estimated 5.6%, or 13.6 million Americans, 12 years of age or older, were current cigar users.⁴
An estimated 6.9% of African American, 6.0% of white, 4.6% of Hispanic, 10.9% of American Indian/Alaska Native, and 1.8% of Asian American adults are current cigar smokers.⁴
An estimated 14.0% of students in grades 9–12 in the United States are current cigar smokers.⁵ Cigar smoking is more common among males (19.2%) than females (8.7%) in these grades.⁵
An estimated 5.3% of middle school students in the United States are current cigar smokers.⁶ Estimates are higher for middle school boys (6.7%) than girls (3.8%).⁶

Other Information

The two leading brands preferred by cigar smokers aged 12 years or older are Black & Mild (22.8%) and Swisher Sweets (14.4%).⁷
Marketing efforts have promoted cigars as symbols of a luxuriant and successful lifestyle.¹ Endorsements by celebrities, development of cigar-friendly magazines (e.g., Cigar Aficionado), features of highly visible women smoking cigars, and product placement in movies have contributed to the increased visibility of cigar smoking in society.¹
Since 2001, cigar packaging and advertisements must display one of five health warning labels on a rotating basis.⁸

References

National Cancer Institute. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monographs: Monograph 9: Cigars: Health Effects and Trends. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute; 1998. NIH Pub. No. 98–4302 [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/tcrb/monographs/9/index.html.
Maxwell JC. Cigar Industry in 2005. Richmond, VA: The Maxwell Report; 2006 [cited 2007 Jan 15].
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: Cancer. A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 1982 [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from: http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/NN/B/C/D/W/.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2005 Detailed Tables. (PDF–57.9KB) Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies; 2006 [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from: http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k5nsduh/tabs/Sect2peTabs42to46.pdf.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. Surveillance Summaries 2005; 55(SS05):1–108 [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5505a1.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Use, Access, and Exposure to Tobacco in Media Among Middle and High School Students—United States, 2004. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. 2005;54(12):297–301 [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5412a1.htm.
Corrected tables. [cited 2007 Mar 13] Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/surveys/NYTS/mmwr_table1.htm.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2005 Detailed Tables. (PDF–124KB) Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies; 2006 [cited 2007 Mar 13]. Available from: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k5nsduh/tabs/Sect7peTabs58to67.pdf.
Federal Trade Commission. Nationwide Labeling Rules for Cigar Packaging and Ads Take Effect Today. Washington, DC: Federal Trade Commission; 2001 [cited 2007 Jan 15]. Available from: http://www3.ftc.gov/opa/2001/02/cigarlabel.htm.

For Further Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO

Media Inquiries: Contact CDC's Office on Smoking and Health press line at 770-488-5493.

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Page last updated 03/21/2007

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