It’s hard to imagine tobacco without the addictive property of nicotine and its effect on those who indulge in its stimulating properties. Sure, cigar smoking in the late 19th century did not place much, if any, importance on the chemical properties of tobacco. Focusing on the flavors and nuances of the smoking experience as a whole, as well as price was far more important, and that sentiment still exists to this day.
A common question (and mistake) among new cigar smokers is whether they should inhale cigar smoke. After all, cigarettes get inhaled. So why inhale one and not the other? Are there certain cigars that are okay to inhale?
Today, we will discuss the nuts and bolts of cigar smoking to help you better enjoy both the process and the overall experience, by answering the question as to whether or not you should inhale cigar smoke or not.
Common Misconceptions About Inhaling Cigar Smoke
Inhalation refers to the drawing of smoke into the lungs, which, for cigarettes and cigars, is a delivery method for nicotine. When you smoke a cigar or cigarette, the nicotine is vaporized, which you can then draw into the lungs to be absorbed into the bloodstream. But this process also invites harmful substances into your lungs, such as tar or chemicals.
Cigar smoke is not typically inhaled, though there are some who do. If you’ve ever inhaled a cigar—and have also tried a cigarette—you know the smoke produced from a cigar is significantly stronger and harsher. This is a result of a few factors, including the blend of tobacco and the lack of a filter.
Compared to cigarettes, cigars typically contain a higher concentration of natural tobacco leaves compared to cigarettes, which often contain processed tobacco mixed with additives. Cigar tobacco tends to be stronger and more robust in flavor, with more nicotine — which can contribute to a harsher smoking experience, particularly for individuals who are not accustomed to the intensity of cigar tobacco.
But there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to inhaling cigars, including that inhaling cigars is less harmful than cigarettes, that cigar smoke is more natural so therefore safe, and that cigar smoke does not have any chemicals and is therefore free of health risks. In fact, the lack of a filter allows more harmful smoke should you inhale a cigar.
While it's true that cigars may contain fewer additives, they still produce harmful chemicals when burned, including those associated with the combustion of organic matter. Moreover, the high concentrations of nicotine and other toxins in cigar smoke can pose significant health risks, regardless of their natural origins.
Is There a Right Time to Inhale Cigar Smoke?
Still, some cigar smokers choose to inhale when they smoke. And this can be for several reasons.
For starters, cigars range considerably in strength, blend, size, and type. While essentially all cigars will burn longer and slower the cigarettes, shorter and smaller cigars smoke more quickly, which may lead some to experiment with inhaling the smoke. Nicotine is addictive, and inhaling cigar smoke with expose your lungs and bloodstream to higher levels of nicotine, which some prefer.
Some tobacco blends, too, will be less harsh and might appeal to smokers considering inhaling. Lighter wrappers and smoother fillers may lead some cigar smokers to experiment. Depending on their frequency, they may come to enjoy the nicotine and could develop a tolerance.
See, with such a high nicotine content, some novice smokers can feel the negative effects of nicotine even without inhaling. But those who have developed a tolerance to nicotine will be less affected and may even prefer it.
Health Considerations
Some cigar smokers mistakenly believe that inhaling cigar smoke is not quite as harmful as inhaling cigarettes, or that it poses minimal health risks. But you’re still getting a lot of the same harmful substances like tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens found in cigarette smoke when you inhale cigar smoke. And this can increase the risk of certain health problems.
While some cigar smokers choose to inhale cigar smoke, this practice can significantly increase the health risks, including an increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders.
But what if I don’t inhale? Yes, puffing cigars without inhaling is generally considered less harmful than inhaling cigar smoke. And that’s for a number of factors, including the lower exposure of those harmful substances we mentioned earlier (tar, carbon monoxide, carcinogens) and lower nicotine exposure, which reduces the effects and the likelihood of forming an addiction to nicotine, which leads to an increased exposure of harmful substance.
And, beyond the health implications, puffing a cigar rather than inhaling it allows you to better experience the flavors and aromas of a cigar — which is why we’re here.
Prioritizing Flavor
Cigars typically offer a wide range of flavor nuances derived from the tobacco blend, aging process, and fermentation. Common cigar flavors include sweet, funky, earthy, woody, spicy, nutty, sweet, and creamy notes, which can vary depending on factors such as the type of tobacco used, the cigar's origin, and its aging period.
Cigars emit complex and aromatic smoke characterized by rich, nuanced scents such as cedar, leather, coffee, cocoa, dried fruit, and floral notes. These aromas are often influenced by the cigar's wrapper leaf, filler blend, and aging conditions.
Inhaling cigar smoke can cause you to miss many of these nuanced flavors and aromas. If you’ve inhaled a cigar before, you know that the shock and action of taking the smoke into your lungs instead of letting it settle on your taste buds changes the experience significantly, and you lose a certain amount of perception.
Common Cigar Smoking Misconceptions
Myth: Inhaling cigars is for badasses.
Reality: Not so much. You’re welcome to inhale, but doing so more or less takes away from the overall experience of smoking a cigar.
Myth: Only cigarette smokers inhale smoke into their lungs.
Reality: While many cigar smokers choose not to inhale deeply into their lungs, some individuals do inhale cigar smoke to experience the rapid delivery of nicotine. To each their own.
Myth: Inhaling cigar smoke is not harmful.
Reality: Inhaling cigar smoke still exposes the smoker to harmful substances such as tar and carbon monoxide and increases the risk of various health issues.
Myth: Inhaling cigar smoke doesn't cause addiction.
Reality: Nicotine is present in cigar smoke, and inhaling cigar smoke can lead to nicotine addiction, similar to cigarette smoking.
Myth: Inhaling cigar smoke deeply into the lungs enhances the flavor experience.
Reality: Inhaling cigar smoke can overpower or mask subtle flavor nuances, affecting the overall enjoyment and appreciation of the cigar's blend and construction.
Personal Preferences Matter Most
So what’s right for you? Even beyond choosing whether to inhale or not, smoking a cigar is a personal experience, and you get to dictate what you prefer — even down to which types of cigars or tobacco blends you are willing to try.
Every smoker is different, and you will like some things that other smokers don’t. Identify what is pleasurable, what smoking techniques allow you to notice nuanced differences when you smoke a cigar, and what impacts the experience negatively. That might even be where you decide to smoke or if you smoke with others!
If you’re still narrowing what you prefer when smoking, check out our tips for beginner cigar smokers below.
Parting Puffs
So are you supposed to inhale cigars? Simply put, we wouldn’t recommend it. There’s an endless world of flavors and aromas and nuances possible when you smoke cigars. And you don’t need to inhale to experience any of it. In fact, it may be a hindrance rather than a help.
What we do encourage: Experiment with retrohaling, try different cigar types, read cigar reviews, start a cigar journal, spend time thinking about what you like about a certain blend and shop for more like it!
