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*
*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.	16%
Cigarillo	A short (3–4 inches) and narrow cigar that typically contains about 3 grams of tobacco and usually is made without a filter.	33%
Little cigar	A small cigar that typically is about the same size as a cigarette and usually made with a filter.	51%

In 2008, cigar sales in the United States rose 8.3% and generated more than $4 billion in retail sales.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).^1,2,3,5
• 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 2008:⁶

• 5.4% of all adults in the United States
• 7.7% of African American adults
• 5.5% of American Indian/Alaska Native adults
• 1.3% of Asian American adults
• 4.6% of Hispanic adults
• 2.0% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adults
• 5.4% of white adults

 

High School Students

Percentage of U.S. high school students who were current cigar users in 2007:⁷

• 13.6% of high school students
• 7.6% of female high school students
• 19.4%   of male high school students in grades 9 through 12

 

Middle School Students

Percentage of U.S. middle school students who were current cigar users in 2006:⁸

• 4.0% of middle school students
• 2.7% of female middle school students
• 5.3% of male middle school students

 

Overall

In 2008, an estimated 13.1 million people (or 5.3% of people 12 years of age or older) in the United States were current cigar users.⁶

NOTES:
- Adult is defined as persons aged 18 years or older.
- High school student is defined as students in grades 9 through
   12.
- Middle school student is defined as students in grades 6 through
   8.
- Current cigar use in all tables above is defined as smoking
   cigars on 1 or more of the 30 days preceding the survey.

Marketing Information

In 2008, the two leading brands of cigars in the United States had more than 50% of the market:⁴

• Swisher Sweets^® (with nearly 30% of the U.S. market share)
• Black & Mild^® (with 23% of the U.S. market share)

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 five "SURGEON GENERAL WARNING" labels on a rotating basis:⁹

• 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 2010 Feb 10].
2. National Cancer Institute. Cigars: Health Effects and Trends . Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 9. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, 1998 [accessed 2010 Feb 8].
3. American Cancer Society. Prevention and Early Detection: Cigar Smoking . Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2009 [accessed 2010 Feb 5].
4. Maxwell JC. Cigar Industry in 2008. Richmond (VA): The Maxwell Report, April 2009 [cited 2010 Feb 4].
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: Cancer. A Report of the Surgeon General . Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office on Smoking and Health, 1982 [accessed 2010 Feb 5].
6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables . (PDF–49.85 KB) [accessed 2010 Feb 8].
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2007. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Surveillance Summaries 2008;57(SS04):1–131 [accessed 2010 Feb 8].
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2006 National Youth Tobacco Survey and Key Prevalence Indicators. (PDF–160.90 KB) [accessed 2010 Feb 8].
9. Federal Trade Commission. Nationwide Labeling Rules for Cigar Packaging and Ads Take Effect Today . Washington: Federal Trade Commission, 2001 [accessed 2010 Feb 3].

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.