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What Cigars Do to the Lungs

Much like cigarettes, cigars contain many toxic and cancer-causing chemicals harmful to both smokers and the people around them. A majority of cigars come from a single type of tobacco. They come in different sizes and may contain anywhere between 1 gram and 20 grams of tobacco. Regardless of size or shape, all cigars contain strong chemicals that can have long-lasting and potentially devastating effects on the body -- especially the lungs.

  1. Lung Cancer

    • Smoke from a cigar can damage the DNA in the lungs.

      Smoke cigars or pipes and you will increase your risk of developing lung cancer. The chemicals in cigar smoke can damage the genetic structure -- DNA -- of the cells in the lungs. These damaged cells can eventually lead to cancer. The more cigars a person smokes, the greater the chance of developing lung cancer.

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    • Cigar smoke may lead to COPD.

      Inhale the smoke from cigars and you will cause swelling of the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs. This causes damage to the lungs known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The damage makes it difficult to breath or clear mucus away from the air passages. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are both forms of COPD. Once emphysema develops, it destroys lung tissue and the smoker finds it difficult to get enough oxygen.

    Interrupt Natural Filter System

    • Chemicals in cigar smoke can disrupt the lungs' natural filtration systems.

      Cigar smoking disrupts the body's process of filtering inhaled air. Certain chemicals in the smoke can destroy the tiny hair-like structures in the lungs known as cilia. Cilia's job is to line the bronchial tubes and sweep away any impurities you may inhale. When something damages the cilia, toxic agents can pass into the lungs, increasing the odds of developing lung disease.

    Second-Hand Smoke

    • Avoid cigar smoke if you are a non-smoker. People who are exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of lung damage and disease, and even cancer. The secondhand smoke that comes from another person's cigar, contains dangerous chemicals. You may suffer the negative consequences, even if you weren't the one puffing the smoke directly from the cigar.

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