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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
Tel: 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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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.
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.
Page last updated 03/21/2007