Cigars

Overview

• A cigar is defined as a roll of tobacco wrapped in leaf tobacco or in a substance that contains tobacco (as opposed to a cigarette, which is defined as a roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in a substance that does not contain tobacco).^1,2
• The three major types of cigars sold in the United States are large cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars.^1,2,3

Type	Description	Market Share (2009)*
*Percentage of U.S. market for cigar products4
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 1–2 hours to smoke.	49%
Cigarillo	A short (3–4 inches) and narrow cigar that typically contains about 3 grams of tobacco and usually does not include a filter.	31%
Little cigar	A small cigar that typically is about the same size as a cigarette and usually includes a filter.	19%

• In 2009, cigars generated more than $8 billion in retail sales in the United States.⁴

Health Effects

• Regular cigar smoking is associated with an increased risk for cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), and/or oral cavity (lip, tongue, mouth, throat).^1,2,3
• Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth loss.³
• Heavy cigar smokers and those who inhale deeply may be at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.^1,2,3
• Heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.^1,2,3

Current Cigar Use

Adults

Percentage of U.S. adults who were current cigar users in 2009:⁵

• 5.4% of all adults in the United States
  

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• 9.1% of adult males in the United States
• 1.9% of adult females in the United States

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• 7.7% of African American adults
• 7.2% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults
• 1.5% of Asian American adults
• 4.9% of Hispanic adults
• 5.3% of white adults

High School Students

Percentage of U.S. high school students who were current cigar users in 2009:⁶

• 10.9% of all students in grades 9–12

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•   6.7% of female students in grades 9–12
• 15.0% of male students in grades 9–2

Middle School Students

Percentage of U.S. middle school students who were current cigar users in 2009:⁶

• 3.9% of all U.S. students in grades 6–8

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• 3.2% of female students in grades 6–8
• 4.6% of male students in grades 6–8

Overall

• In 2009, an estimated 13.3 million people (or 5.3% of people 12 years of age or older) in the United States were current cigar users.⁵

NOTES:
- 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 preceding the survey.

Marketing Information

In 2009, the two leading cigar companies in the United States had more than 60% of the market:⁴

• Swisher International (i.e., nearly 50% of the U.S. market share with Swisher Sweets^® and Swisher Little^® brands)
• Middleton (i.e., about 13% of the U.S. market share with Black & Mild^® brand)

Marketing efforts promote cigars as symbols of a luxuriant and successful lifestyle. The following marketing strategies all contribute to the increased visibility of cigar smoking in society:^1,2

• Endorsements by celebrities
• Development of cigar-friendly magazines (e.g., Cigar Aficionado)
• Images of highly visible women smoking cigars
• Product placement in movies

In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission mandated that cigar packaging and advertisements must display one of the following five "SURGEON GENERAL WARNING" text-only labels on a rotating basis:⁷

• 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.

References

1. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The Rise of Cigars and Cigar-Smoking Harms . (PDF–49.78 KB) Washington: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2009 [accessed 2011 Feb 15].
2. National 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 2011 Feb 15].
3. American Cancer Society. Cigar Smoking . Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2010 [accessed 2011 Feb 15].
4. Maxwell JC. Cigar Industry in 2009. Richmond (VA): The Maxwell Report, 2010 [cited 2011 Feb 15].
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables . (PDF–94 KB) [accessed 2011 Feb 15].
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students—United States, 2000–2009 . Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2010;59(33):1063–8 [accessed 2011 Feb 15].
7. Federal Trade Commission. Nationwide Labeling Rules for Cigar Packaging and Ads Take Effect Today . Washington: Federal Trade Commission, 2001 [accessed 2011 Feb 15].

For Further Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO

Media Inquiries: Contact CDC's Office on Smoking and Health press line at 770-488-5493.