smoking a cigar

We are all aware of some of the cigar smoking health risks. There are risks in smoking cigarettes, but is there any health risks associated with cigar smoking?

The Risky Business of Cigar Smoking…

Are those risks just as dangerous as with cigarettes? Research provided by the National Cancer Institute claim there are definite dangers involved with cigar smoking. Research has linked cancers of the larynx, lungs, esophagus, and oral cavity with smoking cigars. Some of the newest research shows there is a link between smoking cigars and pancreas cancers. Those cigar smokers who deeply inhale on a regular basis are at a higher risk of developing lung and heart disease.

Health risks in cigar smokers are more apparent in those who smoke on a regular basis and inhale the smoke. A smoker who smokes three or four cigars on a daily basis is eight times more likely than a nonsmoker to develop some type of oral cancer. It is unclear the exact risks of smoking only an occasional cigar. We can speculate that if smoking cigars daily puts you at risk of developing health problems.

We all know cigarettes are highly addictive, but are cigars just as addictive? It seems as though many more people are addicted to cigarettes but not cigars. All tobacco products contain nicotine, and nicotine is addictive. It’s easy to observe the effect of nicotine by looking at individuals who use smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco, which is addictive. Cigar smokers usually do not inhale deeply, but the nicotine is still absorbed in the mouth. Cigarette smokers; on the other hand, inhale deeply and often causing the nicotine to be quickly absorbed in the lungs. Although cigar smokers don’t inhale deeply, they still have a large amount of nicotine absorb by the body and they are still at risk for becoming addicted to cigars if smoked on constantly.

Since nicotine is addictive, why aren’t cigar smokers smoking more cigars, more often? People are aware of the addictive quality of nicotine and, therefore, avoid becoming hooked on cigars. Cigars take longer to become addicted to because less nicotine is released into the body as with cigarettes. Cigars are also more expensive than cigarettes, and are viewed as a luxury product or only enjoyed on special occasions; they are simply not used as often. The more frequent a cigar is smoked, the higher the chance of becoming addicted. Smoking any tobacco product frequently will dramatically increase the health risks.

Cigar Clipper

Just A Little Off the Top: How To Clip A Cigar

What is the proper way to clip a cigar? Every cigar lover has their own personal style and method, but here are a few tips to point you in the right direction.

Here’s how to cut a cigar. First, pick up the cigar and take a look at the head of the cigar, the closed end. This is the area that will be cut. Figure out where the cap is. The cap is the area of the cigar where extra tobacco was used to close up the cigar. Finding the cap is the first part, and then you need to figure out its length. You don’t want to cut past the cap’s end, doing so can cause the whole cigar to unravel and fall apart in your hand.  

Tip – How to clip a cigar: Make sure you have a high quality cigar clipper to remove the head of the cap. A poor quality clipper can fray or split the ends. You can find good clipper, made for making clean cuts, at any tobacco shop. Hold the cigar steady and make a quick, meaningful cut right over the cap. Remember less is always more, if you cut is not high enough you can always cut it down further.

Ever wanted to learn how to blow smoke rings from your cigar? Cigar lovers

Blowing Smoke Rings

everyone talk about the art of smoking a cigar. Smoke rings are a sign the smoker is no novice, he enjoys a good cigar and smokes it well. How do you learn to blow a smoke ring? Many say it’s not something that can be taught, it is something you learn on your own with time and practice. Here are some tips to at least get you started.

Aficionados explain that if you want to blow smoke rings, you first need to create some dense smoke. Suck deeply on the cigar until dense smoke fills your mouth. Hold the smoke in your mouth while slowly opening your mouth. Form a well-rounded ‘O’ with your lips, pulling back your tongue as you push out the smoke.

Do not exhale the smoke, the will push the smoke out to quickly. Simply push the smoke out of your mouth. If there is the slightest breeze in the air, it will ruin your chances of blowing out smoke rings, so make sure you practice only when the air is calm or indoors.

Old Cigars - Aged Cigars

Choosing the Perfect Cigar: Old Cigars Versus New Fresh Cigars

Do you know the difference between old cigars and fresh cigars? Do you even know what those terms mean? If you are a new cigar smoker, you may be surprised by these terms. An important thing to note, cigars are never fresh. This means simply, it is difficult to buy a cigar right after it has been produced. Most tobacco stores will but their cigars in a proper storage unit, at the correct temperature and humidity, before placing them out for sale. The best tobacco should be aged for at least one to two years, before it is rolled into a top notch cigar.

Most cigar smokers prefer an older, more vintage cigar. Or an aged cigar. Why is that? The age of the cigar is not really a factor in the taste of cigars; it is simply a matter of preference. How long do vintage cigars last before losing their flavor? The key is in the storage in a quality humidor. Keeping cigars at a constant state of 70 degrees and 70% humidity, will keep them fresh for years.

If an old cigar is stored incorrectly and dries out, can it be saved? Yes, it can be restored and the flavor saved, but the process needs to be done with patience as it is a slow, careful process to re-humidify it.

Cigar Types

A Simple Guide To The ‘Types of Cigars’…

If you are new to cigar smoking, the vast selection of styles and sizes can be bewildering at first. The first thing you should know is cigars are broken down into two categories: parejos and figuardos.

The first group, parejos, are cigars which are, for the most part, straight. Parejos are divided into three subcategories: corona, panatela, and Lonsdale. Coronas are probably the most popular and come in a variety of styles to choose from. They are known for their round head and open foot, or tip. Panatelas are longer and thicker than Coronas. Lonsdales are longer than Coronas as well, but they are the thinnest of the three.

Figurados are the second main category of cigars. Figuardos are more irregular in shape and not exactly straight, as if they are each made by hand to be only slightly off. Belicoso cigars are the smallest of the figuardos. They have small, rounded heads, and a larger foot. The Pyramid has, as the name would suggest, a pointed head which taper off to a large foot. The Perfecto cigar is tapered on the head and feet and thinner in the middle. The Diademas is the largest of the figuardos and is commonly known as the ‘giant’ among cigars as it is eight or more inches longer than any other cigar.

How Much and How Often

The National Cancer Institute gathered research on both cigarettes and cigars and discovered the health risks are linked to frequency of use. That means it doesn’t matter whether you prefer smoking cigarettes or cigars, it’s how often and how much you smoke in general. People who are daily cigarette smokers have a greater chance of developing cancer than the occasional cigar smoker. However, research shows cigars have more carcinogens than cigarettes. Cigars also emit a much more toxic smoke, posing a greater danger for those who may inhale the secondhand smoke. This is mostly due to the cigar being larger than a cigarette and therefore would emit more smoke.

Don’t Breathe Deeply

The largest debate seems to stem from the matter of inhaling nicotine from either cigars or cigarettes. Most cigar aficionados claim cigars are less dangers simply because they don’t inhale as deeply as cigarette smokers, keeping most toxins out. The National Cancer Institute’s research showed both cigar and cigarette smokers were equally exposed to dangerous carcinogens and it didn’t matter if they inhaled or not. Inhaling damages the lungs; you can still expose carcinogens to the mouth, tongue, larynx, and throats without inhaling. By simply holding an unlit cigar or cigarette in your mouth, exposes them to carcinogens. Saliva comes in contact with the cigar or cigarette when they are smoked, which means carcinogens are being swallowed. Swallowing carcinogens further exposes the throat, larynx, and esophagus to toxins. There appears to be no difference between the amounts of carcinogens swallowed by either cigar or cigarette smokers. Meaning, they both hold the same risk of getting oral and esophageal cancer.

Health risks seem are related to how deep someone inhales the smoke in either cigars or cigarettes. Most cigarette smokers inhale more deeply and more often, putting them at a higher danger of developing larynx cancer. To give a more clear idea of how inhaling relates to health risk, the National Cancer Institute states the lung cancer risk to be the same for a person who smokes a pack a day and a person who smokes five cigars a day.

A cigar single

Choosing Singles: Are you curious how to pick out the perfect cigar?

If you are new to the cigar smoking world, here are some important guidelines to follow to pick out the best cigar. The first thing to do is take a look at the texture of the cigar. Gently squeeze it.

Does it feel soft or stiff? A good cigar will have a slight give to it, but still be firm. Squeeze along the length of the cigar single to make sure there are no lumps. A good cigar’s texture will be fairly consistent. Now you want to check for flaws. Look for cracks or discolorations in the wrapper, which can mean a poor quality cigar. The wrapper should be on tight and smooth.

Your final step is to examine the ends of the cigar. Pay special attention to the foot, or the end that will be lit. It can be hard to know the difference between good and bad tobacco. The best way to do so is to take a look at the tobacco’s color. If there are sudden changes in the color, this usually means the leaves were not mixed properly. You want a cigar that has a smooth blending of tobacco.

Buying Drug Store Cigars?

Corner Store Cigars – Buying Drug Store Cigars

There are a large variety of cigars out there which can be confusing for those new to smoking. The most common questions asked: Is if it’s a good idea to buy cigars from the local corner or chain store? Is the quality good enough? Will my cigar have a good flavor?

It’s always okay to buy cigars from wherever you feel the need, just know the packaged cigars are going to be a poorer quality. Most packaged cigars are packed full of preservatives and other non-tobacco contents. Some other common ingredients found in these types of cigars are: paper, Glycerin, and saltpeter. The high quality cigars have only one ingredient, tobacco. Packaged cigars often contain extra ingredients to improve their shelf-life.

The best place to get high quality, flavorful cigars is your local tobacco store or smoke shop. Some mail order companies will carry high quality cigars, but you will have to order in bulk as they don’t sell singles. The best place is the local tobacco store, where you can test out the various brands and smells before choosing a box.

Real Cuban Cigars

Picking Out the Imposters…

It is widely known Cuban cigars are the most popular of all cigars, famous for their smooth, rich flavors and taste. Cuban cigars are so popular and sought after that many shady people will try to make some money selling fake Cuban cigars to eager buyers. So, how do you know if what you are getting is real or fake? The first step is to always make sure you are buying from legitimate retailers. It is always best to stick to your local tobacco store or smoke shop. Some mail order services also have a good reputation for selling authentic products as well.

But to ensure don’t buy fake Cuban cigars and if you find yourself in a position to purchase an alleged box of Cuban cigars, take some time to carefully inspect the contents of the box before forking over the cash. Below are a few extra tips to help you tell the difference between the imitations and the real deal.

The first, and most important, thing to look at is the actual box the cigars come in. If the box is an authentic Cuban cigar box, there is a green and white warranty seal on the front, left side of the box. This seal contains a symbol bearing the picture of a shield and a hat. Take a look at the upper right hand corner of the box, a diagonal sticker containing the word ‘Habanos’ should be there. Overall the box should look clean, neat, and presentable. If you see any damage, smudges, frayed ends, or marks don’t waste your time. The color should be sharp not dull. If the box is in bad shape, there is a good chance the cigars have been damaged in transit. The green and white warranty seal is located on the right hand side of the box for Cohiba, Trinidad, and Q’dorsay cigar brands.

Flip the box over and you should see the word ‘Habons’, burnt into the wood. If you suspect a rubber stamp or paper label has been used, they are not real. There should also be a code stamp from the factory on the bottom stamped in green, blue, or black ink indicated the city and date the cigars were rolled.

If allowed, open up the box and smell the tobacco. Cuban cigars have a distinct smell to them; deep and rich a true cigar enthusiast would know instantly. If the smell is weak or smells off, you probably are not holding authentic Cuban cigars. Every cigar needs to face the same direction and the top row may appear flattened which is normal. All the caps should be the same and each foot should have a smooth cut. The rings on each cigar should all look alike and arranged to all face the same direction. If you are able, press on each cigar, feeling for hard or soft spots. Each cigar should give a little, but be mainly firm.

Assorted Cuban Cigars

Here’s how to buy Cuban cigars (check your local and federal laws before doing so)…

Ask any cigar enthusiasts where the best cigars come from, and they will all tell you Cuba. However, sometimes buying the best can be a risky situation. Almost every cigar aficionado is more than willing to take the risk to get the perfect blend of flavors and tastes. I bet you are curious how you can get your hands on a great box of Cubans. The troubled past between Cuba and the US can leave those who are too eager to purchase a box of Cubans, feeling taken advantage of. Cuban cigars can be done without being duped, but you must proceed with caution.

The first thing you need to know is that importing Cuban cigars is illegal. Back in 1963, the US placed certain sanctions on Cuba. This makes it illegal for Cuba to import goods into the US, making Cuban cigars even more tempting. There is a way to get around the sanction though; tourists returning from Cuba can bring cigars through customs. There is a $100 limit on goods being brought through, and they need to be used for personal use and not intended for resale.

That is the only legal way of bringing Cuban cigars into the United States. Any other way, buying, selling, or trading, is illegal. The fines for illegal buying, selling, or trading Cuban cigars in the US can reach up to $55,000. Receiving a fine, is actually pretty rate and in most cases the cigars are simply confiscated.

A box of good Cuban cigars can be quite pricey, so make sure you are ready to spend some of that hard earned cash. The prices start at about $150 and only go up from there, sometimes up to $500 or more. Be cautious of anything cheaper than this, as they are probably not the real deal. Many internet sites claiming to sell genuine Cuban cigars are more likely to sell imitations. Steer clear of shops that sell “discount” Cuban cigars.

What is the easiest way to get the real thing, without a trip to Cuba? The best place to buy an authentic box of Cuban cigars is to take a trip up to Canada. Once you purchase a box, you will have to do some re-figuring to get them back across the border. First, remove all the original Cuba packaging. Next, remove the rings and place them in a simple cigar box. Most Customs agents won’t take the time to look at cigars too closely, and it really isn’t that big of a deal to bring Cuban cigars across the border. Most retailers in Canada will often offer to do all the repackaging for you.