New Findings on Cigar Smoking and Health Risks

Overview of Smoking Risks

A recent article published in JAMA Internal Medicine has unveiled new insights into the relationship between cigar smoking and the risks of mortality and morbidity. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and health complications globally. While extensive research has established a clear link between cigarette smoking and adverse health outcomes, studies focusing on cigars and pipes have been relatively limited.

Prevalence of Cigar Smoking

Although the number of cigar and pipe smokers is significantly lower than that of cigarette smokers, their usage remains substantial. In 2015, approximately 12.5 million individuals aged 12 years or older in the United States reported smoking cigars within the preceding month.

Health Risks Associated with Cigar Smoking

Previous studies indicate that cigar smoking is linked to an increased risk of developing oral cavity cancers, as well as cancers of the larynx, lung, and potentially the pancreas. Notably, the incidence of oral cavity cancers among cigar smokers is comparable to that of cigarette smokers.

Research on Mortality Risks

The recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine explored the mortality risks associated with current and former use of cigars, pipes, and cigarettes. Conducted in the United States, this research utilized data from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study, a comprehensive national health cohort survey with mortality follow-up. Participants provided information regarding their tobacco use from 1985 to 2011, culminating in a final analysis involving 357,420 subjects.

Key Findings

The results revealed that 79-98% of current or former cigar and pipe smokers were male. During the follow-up period, there were 51,150 recorded deaths. The study found that current smokers of both cigarettes and cigars faced a higher risk of mortality compared to individuals who had never used tobacco. Additionally, current cigar and pipe smokers were at an elevated risk of dying from tobacco-related cancers, including those of the bladder, esophagus, larynx, lung, oral cavity, and pancreas.

Conclusions

The researchers concluded that, alongside cigarettes, the use of other tobacco products, such as cigars, is also associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The risks linked to cigar smoking are similar to those associated with cigarette and pipe smoking, even among non-daily users. Moreover, former users exhibited lower risks compared to current users, underscoring the critical importance of smoking cessation.

Author Information

This article was written by Nima Makhdami, M.D.

References

(1) Christensen, C. H., Rostron, B., Cosgrove, C., Altekruse, S. F., Hartman, A. M., Gibson, J. T., … & Freedman, N. D. (2018). Association of Cigarette, Cigar, and Pipe Use With Mortality Risk in the US Population. JAMA Internal Medicine.
(2) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2015.