cigar and pipe smokers often argue that their health isn't at risk because they only smoke one or two a day and they don't inhale. there is also the claim that pipes and cigars aren't addictive. yet research shows that cigar and pipe smoking is every bit as dangerous as cigarette smoking and possibly even more dangerous. a single large cigar can contain more than a 1/2 ounce of tobacco -- as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes. one cigar also contains 100 to 200 milligrams of nicotine while a cigarette averages only about 8 milligrams. that extra nicotine may be why smoking just a few cigars a week is enough to trigger nicotine cravings.
are cigar and pipe smoking as risky as smoking cigarettes?