Like other stimulants, nicotine raises the risk of heart attacks. Earlier this year, the National Cancer Institute released research findings in an effort to squelch notions that cigars were less dangerous than other forms of tobacco. Cigar smokers have three times the risk of lung cancer as nonsmokers. Cigar smokers who don't inhale still absorb nicotine, which increases their risk of heart attack and stroke. Male cigar smokers have a 34 percent higher death rate from cancer than men who don't smoke.
Cigars have much higher concentrations of tar and nicotine than cigarettes.
A cigar's carbon monoxide level is 30 times as high as that of a cigarette. Compared with nonsmokers, cigar smokers are 1.3 to 3.6 times more likely to die from chronic lung disease. When it comes to cigar smoking, don't let the smoke get in your eyes. Find a fad without such health risks.