Cigars, including little cigars, cigarillos and premium cigars, are popular among young adults for many reasons. However, they are not a safe alternative to cigarettes. Here are some common myths about cigars:

Myth 1: Cigars Are More Natural Than Cigarettes, and Therefore Less Dangerous

While the tobacco inside cigarettes is wrapped in paper, the tobacco inside cigars is wrapped in a tobacco leaf. Some people believe this means cigars do not contain the same toxic substances as cigarettes. However, both products involve burning tobacco leaves, which means they release many of the same toxic and cancer-causing substances like hydrogen cyanide, ammonia and carbon monoxide.

Myth 2: I Only Smoke Cigars Occasionally, So I Can’t Get Addicted to Them

When people smoke cigars, nicotine enters their bloodstream. This is true even when people say they don’t inhale. Nicotine is the addictive chemical that gets people hooked on other tobacco products. Many young people who start smoking cigars later begin smoking cigarettes.

Myth 3: I Don’t Smoke Cigars Often Enough for Them to Harm My Health

People who smoke cigars at all are at greater risk of dying than people who don’t smoke cigars. Smoking cigars increases your risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, gum disease, and tooth loss. There is no safe amount of exposure to cigar smoke.

Myth 4: I Don’t Inhale the Smoke from Cigars, So It Can’t Hurt Me

People who use cigars and cigarillos often say they don’t inhale smoke like when they are smoking cigarettes because cigar smoke is harsher than cigarette smoke. However, laboratory studies show that people who smoke cigars are inhaling smoke, even when they believe they aren’t. Additionally, people show signs of increased carbon monoxide exposure and higher levels of nicotine in their blood after smoking cigars. This means that even if you don’t believe you are inhaling smoke from cigars, the toxic chemicals it contains are entering your system.

The best way to avoid the negative health effects of using tobacco is to ditch tobacco products, including cigars, completely. There are a lot of resources available to help you live a tobacco-free life. You can start by speaking with your healthcare provider or by checking out the tools and resources here.