All of these changes reduce the ex-smoker's risk of serious illness. Back to top. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke absorb nicotine and carcinogens just as smokers do. It also increases the risk of cervical and brain cancers and respiratory problems. Back to top.
Cigars increase the risk of oral and esophageal cancers just as much as cigarettes do.
While the lung cancer risk from cigars is not as great as from cigarettes, it increases signficantly the more cigars a person smokes per day and the more deeply he or she inahales. Contrary to popular belief, cigar smokers can become addicted to nicotine even if they don't inhale. In addition, cigars are a major source of fine-particle and carbon monoxide indoor air pollution. Back to top. Smoking is one of the leading causes of respiratory diseases suchas chronic bronchitis and is a major trigger of other chronic lung problems like asthma.