Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee, I am inquiring about the health risks involved in smoking cigars. I am a former cigarette smoker, recently quit and I have taken to smoking the occasional cigar in order to deal with the psychological cravings for the oral addiction of smoking. I don't inhale the smoke. I merely enjoy the taste and the activity a good cigar affords. I was wondering how much I am putting myself at risk by my intermittent indulgence? Signed, Can't Quit Dear Can't, You are still putting your health at risk with the occasional cigar smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, "While cigar smokers generally do not inhale, some cigar smokers, especially current or ex-cigarette smokers can inhale enough smoke to increase their risk of lung cancer". In addition, cigars not only give off greater amounts of second-hand smoke than cigarettes, but have higher concentrations of the same poisons and cancer-causing agents. The National Cancer Institute reports that cigars are as deadly as cigarettes. Please go to www.cancer.org or www.cancer.gov to learn more about the dangers of cigars. |
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| Cancer Concerns and Prevention |