Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 substances, over 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals. Most health organizations have concluded that secondhand smoke is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans each year, mostly from heart disease. Other outcomes of secondhand smoke exposure are lung cancer and respiratory illnesses in children.
Cigars contain more noxious combustion products than cigarettes.
And to make matters worse, cigar smoke is more alkaline than cigarette smoke, making it easier for cigar ingredients to enter the bloodstream directly through the mouth tissues. A big cigar probably has more tobacco in it than does a whole pack of cigarettes. Cigar smokers have a very definite danger of tongue and throat cancer. They also have a higher risk of lung cancer than nonsmokers. A CDC study done last year found that 6 million American teens between 14 and 19 had smoked a cigar at least once.