Why aren't cigars as addictive as cigarettes?
"The most futile and disastrous day seems well spent when it is reviewed through the blue, fragrant smoke of a Havana cigar." ~Evelyn WaughThey both contain nicotine and deliver it to the bloodstream. But the most important difference between cigars and cigarettes is the mechanism of delivery. Cigars aren't normally really inhaled and cigarettes are. Inhalation is one of the fastest drug delivery systems. The addictiveness of psychoactive drugs increases with the rapidity of the drug delivery system. Possibly the analog nature of inhalation and the efficiency of blood-gas interchange in the lungs can influence the dependence as well. The cigarette can be drawn on harder, the smoke pulled further down into the lungs and held there for a variable period of time to give just the right "fix" to the addict. (I remember this well, it causes a deep visceral memory and I gave up cigarettes years ago).Inhaling a cigar would make it just as addictive as a cigarette. Or more so considering the strength. Anecdotally, when a cigarette smoker, if smoking a cigar, I would have to put it aside to smoke a cigarette periodically. I didn't enjoy it much. Now, cigars are one of my greatest pleasures. But many people who try to replace cigarettes with cigars fail. Usually I see them swallow a lot of smoke from the the cigar, inhale increasing amounts, switch to smaller cigars and smoke them more and more frequently until they either switch to cigarillos or go back to cigarettes. This answer should be confirmed or rebutted by someone with a good understanding of the Biology.Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Principles of Illicit Drug Use and Treatment of Illicit Drug Users
Should a cigar actually be inhaled like a cigarette or is it meant to be savoured?
The purpose of a cigar is to get nicotine to the brain, just like a cigarette.Cigars are more alkaline than cigarettes, and subsequently are much harder to inhale fully into the lungs than cigarettes.Cigar smokers get their nicotine mostly from absorption around the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.It’s a slightly slower process than cigarettes, which being less alkaline than cigars, can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, and from there get in to the blood much quicker. (and from there across the blood/brain barrier)Getting nicotine into the brain is very important for a smoker.They start to feel very uncomfortable if the receptors in the brain don’t get nicotine.So, with cigars, full inhalation is not recommended.It will hurt your lungs if you try.That pain is there for a reason- your body recognises it is inhaling a toxic and damaging substance and is doing what it can to prevent you from carrying on.Or alternatively, you can ignore the pain and carry on.Eventually, you will get used to the pain, and you will be able to fully inhale cigar smoke just like many hardy South American smokers do.Holding the cigar smoke in the mouth is a much better way of getting more nicotine into the brain.The longer you hold the smoke around the mucous membranes, the more nicotine you will get.You can call that ‘savouring the cigar’ if you prefer.
Why do people smoke cigars?
Why do people eat avocados? Why do people play piano? Why do people have dogs? Why do people drive race cars? I’d say the answer for your question and the questions I asked is ………..wait for it….. because we LIKE them! In my case as a child about 5 years old I could not understand my grandfathers love for smoking a fine cigar. But back then it was just different tastes, because many people in my family smoked cigarettes. It was acceptable and “normal” back in the 1950s-60s. I never took up cigarettes because I enjoyed track and various sports in school. But much later, I started during my Navy days to have a cigar in celebration - starting with my friends and I starting families and passing out cigars announcing “It’s a Boy!” (or Girl) It progressed to smoking better handmade cigars as friends of mine and I took to climbing mountains. Nothing like a cigar on top a mountain. Nothing big mind you - never been on a mountain over 19,000 feet. Then on nice days, I’d sit out on my deck overlooking the backyard and smoke a cigar while throwing the ball for an hour with my Golden Retrievers. Now, I find it a fantastic way to relax to take an hour to an hour and a half every day - usually mid-day , relax in my rocker looking out over a patch of woods and have a handmade Churchill and sip a fine brandy or my favorite Chardonnay. I love the alone time with nature and my thoughts, sometimes adding soothing music to the background. It restores your spirit. I’m a writer so sometimes it brings out great ideas for an article or story. But sometimes a good friend will stop by and we’ll have a cigar over good conversation. In my case, I now know exactly what my grandfather saw in it. Everyone has one or two special thing that gives them joy. I just told you a few of mine.
Why do people inhale cigarette smoke but don't inhale cigar smoke?
I've smoked both. I still smoke cigars, but quit cigarettes.The key is in manufacturing.Cigars use an aged tobacco. It is the whole leaf, of one type of Tobacco. The aging, the leaf wrapper, and the lack of additives leads to a much stronger smoke that is painful to inhale. The pH of the smoke in cigars is unchanged by additives too, with much higher temperatures that can burn your throat. I once breathed in with a cigar by mistake, I got sick.Cigarettes are a different beast altogether. There is a blend of Tobacco. Often, a mix of high nicotine tobacco plants, alongside other types that are lower in nicotine, but taste sweeter.Cigarettes also have various food additives and sugar added to give the smoke a sweeter taste. Additives are also present that decrease the temperature of the smoke and change it's pH in order to facilitate a smooth inhale and quick nicotine delivery. This has lead to accusations of nicotine manipulation in the cigarette industry, which, in light of the evidence, is certainly true.The paper wrap also allows more air in, light cigarette filters have perforations for this purpose. This doesn't make the cigarettes healthier.In conclusion. With cigars you get a natural, aged tobacco leaf that is not meant to be inhaled. You slowly take in the smoke, enjoy the taste, and release the smoke from your mouth.With cigarettes you get a medley of processed tobacco, and chemicals in both the leaf and paper. It's additives and wrapper make it easier to breathe in, allowing fast nicotine delivery, which is the purpose of a cigarette.Cigars if smoked in moderation (occasionally, and not inhaled) do raise the risk of some cancers, but are not nearly as addictive and do not pose a serious health risk… the studies are there. (The anti smokers getting paid to blather on won't tell you that though)Cigarettes are highly addictive, and were taking over my life. My family helped me quit thank God.
Are cigars more satisfying than cigarettes?
Yes. I smoked both.Cigarettes are transaction, habitual and forgettable. Cigars can be a special treat to be savoured.Cigarettes were part of my daily life. An hourly addictive routine. Each one smoked and forgotten. Within an hour, I was looking forward to the next one. Sometimes more frequently than that. I missed not smoking, such was the habit and routine.Cigars are a satisfying experience. There’s the ritual of inspection, preparation and lighting. Terrific smoking flavours and extended time needed to smoke the cigar provided for satisfying relaxation.I don’t remember smoking individual cigarettes. But I do remember the times sitting in the house enjoying a Cuban cigar.