Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search

		Submit


Smoking & Tobacco Use


Section Navigation
			
			CDC Home








Cigars						Print
																Related Pages
										On This Page
			Health EffectsCurrent Cigar UseMarketing InformationReferences
		
A cigar is defined as a roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or in a substance that contains tobacco.1,2
Cigars differ from cigarettes in that cigarettes are a roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in a substance that does not contain tobacco.
The three major types of cigars sold in the United States are large cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars.1,2
In 2023, cigars were the third most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students.13 The availability of flavors in cigars that are prohibited in cigarettes (such as cherry), and the fact that they are commonly sold as a single stick, has raised concerns that these products may be especially appealing to youth.4,5,6,7
In 2021, among middle and high school students who used cigars in the past 30 days, 44.4% reported using a flavored cigar during that time.3
Little cigars are the same size and shape as cigarettes, often include a filter, and are packaged in a similar way, but they are taxed differently than cigarettes. Rather than reduce consumption, people who smoke and are cost-conscious might switch from cigarettes to cheaper little cigars.2,6,8
Historically, cigar smoking in the United States has been a behavior of older men, but the industry’s increased marketing of these products to targeted groups increased the prevalence of use among adolescents.4
Cigar use is higher among youth who use other tobacco products or other drugs (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants) than among youth who do not use these products.4**Cigars contain the same toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarettes and are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.1,5**Description and Unit Sale Share of Cigar Types
Type
Description
**Share of Unit Sales** (2016-2020)***9***Percentage of U.S. market for cigar products.Large cigar
Cigar that typically contains at least one-half ounce of aged, fermented tobacco (i.e., as much as a pack of cigarettes) and usually takes 1 to 2 hours to smoke
2.7%Cigarillo
A short (3–4 inches) and narrow cigar that typically contains about 3 grams of tobacco and usually does not include a filter
94.2%Little cigar
A small cigar that typically is about the same size as a cigarette and usually includes a filter
3.1%Health EffectsRegularly smoking cigars is associated with an increased risk for cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), and oral cavity (lip, tongue, mouth, throat).1,2
Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth loss.2
Heavy cigar smoking and inhaling cigar smoke deeply may increase risk for developing coronary heart disease.1,2
Heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.1,2Cigars in various formatsFrom left to right: 1. Roll-your-own cigarette made by hand with roll-your-own tobacco, 2. Roll-your-own cigarette made in a commercial roll-your-own machine with pipe tobacco, 3. Factory-made cigarette, 4. Small cigar, 5. Filtered large cigar, and 6. Traditional large cigar (Source: GAO)Current Cigar Use**Adults***
Percentage of U.S. adults who currently smoked cigars† in 2021:10
3.5% of all adults
6.2% of adult men
1.0% of adult women
5.1% of non-Hispanic Black adults
3.7% of non-HispanicWhite adults
2.5% of Hispanic adults
1.2% of non-HispanicAsian adults**High School Students**
Percentage of U.S. high school students who currently smoked cigars† in 2023:13
1.8% of all students in grades 9–12
1.4% of female students in grades 9–12
2.3% of male students in grades 9–12**Middle School Students**
Percentage of U.S. middle school students who currently smoked cigars † in 2023:13
1.1% of all U.S. students in grades 6–8
1.2% of female students in grades 6–8
1.0% of male students in grades 6–8**Overall**
In 2021, an estimated 8.6 million adults aged 18 and older (3.5%) currently smoked cigars.10*Adults are defined as persons 18 years of age or older.†Current cigar use is defined as smoking cigars on 1 or more of the 30 days before participation in a survey about this topic.Marketing InformationMarketing efforts promote cigars as symbols of a luxurious and successful lifestyle. The following strategies can contribute to the increased acceptability of cigar smoking:1,4
Endorsements by male and female celebrities
Development of cigar-focused magazines (e.g., *Cigar Aficionado*)
Product placement in movies**In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission mandated that cigar packaging and advertisements display one of the following five “SURGEON GENERAL WARNING” text-only labels on a rotating basis:**12
Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers Of The Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.
Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer And Heart Disease.
Tobacco Use Increases The Risk Of Infertility, Stillbirth, And Low Birth Weight.
Cigars Are Not A Safe Alternative To Cigarettes.
Tobacco Smoke Increases The Risk Of Lung Cancer And Heart Disease, Even In Nonsmokers.ReferencesNational Cancer Institute. Cigars: Health Effects and Trends. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 9. Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 9. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 1998 [accessed 2015 Oct 19].
American Cancer Society. Cigar Smoking. Atlanta: American Cancer Society [cited 2015 Oct 19].
Gentzke AS, Wang TW, Cornelius M, Park-Lee E, Ren C, Sawdey MD, Cullen KA, Loretan C, Jamal A, Homa DM. Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and High School Students – National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2022; 71(No. SS-5):1–29.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, 2012 [accessed 2015 Oct 19].
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The Rise of Cigars and Cigar-Smoking Harms. Washington: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids [accessed 2015 Oct 19].
King BA, Tynan MA, Dube SR, Arrazola R. Flavored-Little-Cigar and Flavored-Cigarette Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students. Journal of Adolescent Health 2013;54(1):40–6 [accessed 2015 Oct 19].
Cullen KA, Liu ST, Bernat JK, et al. Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students—United States, 2014–2018. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2019;68:839–44 [accessed 2019 Nov 26].
Gammon DG, Loomis BR, Dench DL, King BA, Fulmer EB, Rogers T. Effect of Price Changes in Little Cigars and Cigarettes on Little Cigar Sales; USA, Q4 2011-Q4 2013n. Tobacco Control 2016;25:538-44 [cited 2018 Sep 13].
Wang X, Kim Y, Borowiecki M, Tynan MA, Emery S, King BA. Trends in Cigar Sales and Prices, by Product and Flavor Type – United States, 2016-2020. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2021 [accessed 2021 Nov 23].
Cornelius ME, Loretan CG, Jamal A, et al. Tobacco Product Use Among Adults — United States, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:475–483.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Section 2 PE Tables – Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables, SAMHSA, CBHSQ. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, 2020 [accessed 2021 Nov 23].
Federal Trade Commission. Nationwide Labeling Rules for Cigar Packaging and Ads Take Effect Today. Washington: Federal Trade Commission, 2001 [accessed 2015 Oct 19].
Birdsey J, Cornelius M, Jamal A, et al. Tobacco Product Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023; 72(44);1173–1182.Top of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  November 2, 2023						Source: 	Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeHomeOffice on Smoking and Health (OSH)plus iconOSH Partners with StatesFunding Opportunity AnnouncementsInteragency Committee on Smoking and Healthplus iconMembership RosterNewsroomStay ConnectedOrganizationSmoking & Tobacco Use FeaturesQuit Smokingplus iconHow to Quitplus iconBenefits of QuittingBasic Informationplus iconHealth Effectsplus iconCancerHeart Disease and StrokeChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Smoking During PregnancyEquality in Smoking & Disease: Nobody Wins!Electronic Cigarettesplus iconAbout Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes)Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young AdultsEmpower Vape-Free Youth CampaignMenthol Tobacco Productsplus iconState Menthol Fact SheetsMenthol Tobacco Products are a Public Health ProblemMenthol Smoking and Related Health DisparitiesAddressing Menthol Tobacco ProductsHeated Tobacco ProductsYouth Tobacco PreventionCommercial Tobacco and Health Equityplus iconBlack and African American Peopleplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsSecondhand SmokeQuitting TobaccoAmerican Indian and Alaska Native Peopleplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsSecondhand SmokeQuitting TobaccoAsian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Peopleplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsQuitting TobaccoHispanic and Latino Peopleplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsSecondhand SmokeQuitting TobaccoLGBTQ+ Peopleplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsQuitting TobaccoPeople Across Geographic Regionsplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsSecondhand SmokeQuitting TobaccoPeople with Behavioral Health Conditionsplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsCommercial Tobacco Product Use and Behavioral Health Conditions can Affect Each OtherQuitting TobaccoPeople with Low Socioeconomic Statusplus iconHealth BurdenUnfair and Unjust Practices and ConditionsSecondhand SmokeQuitting TobaccoSecondhand Smokeplus iconGeneral InformationTrends and DisparitiesHealth ProblemsSecondhand Smoke in the CommunitySecondhand Smoke in the HomeSmokefree PoliciesResourcesGoing Smokefree Mattersplus iconBars and RestaurantsCasinosIn Your HomeMultiunit HousingSurgeon General's Reports on Smoking and Tobacco Useplus icon2020 SGR—Smoking Cessation2016 SGR—E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young AdultsHistorical ReportsA Brief HistoryArchiveData and Statisticsplus iconFast Facts and Fact Sheetsplus icon**Smoking and Cigarettes**Diseases and DeathHealth Effects of Cigarette SmokingTobacco-Related MortalityCigarette Smoking in the U.S.Adult DataCessationCost and ExpendituresEconomics**Smokeless Tobacco**Health EffectsProducts and MarketingSmokeless Tobacco Product Use in the United States**Other Tobacco Products**CigarsHookahsLow Yield Cigarettes**Secondhand Smoke****Youth Tobacco Use**Youth DataSmoking in the MoviesTrends in Tobacco Use Among Youth**Tobacco Industry**Tobacco Brand PreferencesIndustry MarketingSurveysplus iconNational Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS)Alaska Native Adult Tobacco Survey Guidance ManualAmerican Indian Adult Tobacco SurveyScientific Evidence BriefsSTATE SystemMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR)Vital SignsPatient Careplus iconPatient Care Settings and Smoking Cessationplus iconCardiovascular Care SettingsRespiratory Care SettingsCancer Care SettingsMaternal and Infant Care SettingsClinical Interventions to Treat Tobacco Use and Dependence Among AdultsClinical Cessation ToolsPatient Cessation MaterialsQuitlines and Other Cessation Support ResourcesClinical Education and TrainingE-Cigarettes and Patient CareState and Community Workplus iconTobacco Control Programsplus iconCessation Materials for Tobacco Control ProgramsNetworking2Save: Co-op AgreementGuidelines and ResourcesProgram FundingEvidence Based Guides for StatesState Fact SheetsTobacco Ingredient and Nicotine ReportingTobacco Counter-Marketing CampaignGlobal Tobacco Controlplus iconAbout Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS)GTSSDataThe Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) AtlasHelp & Glossaryplus iconGlossaryData and DocumentationUsing the GTSSData HomepageUsing the GTSSData Explorer PageContact UsMultimedia & Toolsplus iconMedia Campaign Resource Center (MCRC)Publication Catalog To receive email updates about Smoking & Tobacco Use, enter your email address: Email Address			What's this				Submit
 Tips From Former
Smokers®
Division of Cancer
Prevention and Control
Lung Cancer
National Comprehensive
Cancer Control Program
Division of Reproductive
Health
 Facebook
Twitter
YouTube


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue