Key Facts about Cigars and Their Health Effects

[Racquel Lezlie]

There are three main types of cigars sold in the U.S.—large cigars, cigarillos and little cigars. In 2015, large cigars and cigarillos made up 95% of the market share in what is maduro in cigars the U.S., with little cigars making up only 5%.2

A single large cigar can contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.2

In 2017, about half (49.3%) of cigar smoking youth used flavored cigars.3 Flavors mask tobacco's natural harshness and taste.

Cigar smoking has many similar consequences as cigarette smoking, including four to 10 times the risk of dying from oral, esophageal or laryngeal cancer in comparison to non-smokers.

Since 2001, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has required all cigar packages and advertisements to include warnings about the significant health risks associated with cigar use.5

For tobacco tax purposes, cigars are defined differently than cigarettes, which leads to state taxes on cigars often being significantly less than taxes on cigarettes.