Hah, I'm very hesitant to discuss cigar smoking outside of forums dedicated to it because people tend not to know a lot about it and lump it in with cigarettes.
In reality they're quite different, for one I have personally never found cigars in any way addictive, they certainly do have nicotine in them, lots of nicotine but since you don't inhale (mouth only) cigar smoke it seems like you don't get the super fast hit that cigarette smokers do which in turn means they're not addictive? I'm not sure of the science behind it, all I know is myself and the others who I know in the hobby do consider cigars a hobby to be picked up and put down, in a weird way the actual collecting becomes more important than the smoking. I know people who maybe smoke 1 cigar a month but are constantly buying and selling to expand their collections.
As someone who used to smoke an average of one pack of cigarettes a day, for five years before quitting, I am curious: what's the appeal of smoking cigars? I only smoked one once and even then I missed out on the authentic experience, because nobody told me you're not supposed to inhale the smoke...
My family has a bi-weekly game night. Once every couple months someone will bring cigars and almost everyone partakes. Most don't smoke regularly. Seems like cigar smoking actually is enjoyed in moderation more so than cigarettes.
Indeed, there are loads of occasional-cigar smokers out there who have zero interest in smoking cigarettes, and in between the times they feel they can afford a quality cigar, simply do not smoke at all.
The thing about smoking cigars is that you smoke them however the hell you want to smoke them. It's your cigar, you inhale if you want. Do you like ice in your scotch? Have ice in your scotch. Do you like to chew on your cigars and never light them? Have at it. You're supposed to enjoy them, and nobody can tell you how to enjoy something.
I have a few friends who I regular smoke a cigar with, sometimes as often as once a week when the weather is really nice but usually at least once every 4-6 weeks even in the winter.
1) The taste is objectively better. Sure some aren't great but even when I smoked a pack of day many years ago I always smoke menthol because I thought regular cigarettes tastes like ashes (imagine that).
2) No noticeable effect on breathing. I often could feel it in my chest after having multiple cigarettes back-to-back or at the end of a day of heavy smoking. Never had that problem with a cigar, even after having two back-to-back.
3) Social. Very few people smoke a cigar by themselves. For me it's a social event. I sit around a table with friends and beer and we talk about whatever we want for the 60-90 minutes we're there.
I frequently inhale my cigar smoke, to the chagrin of cigar smokers everywhere. Cigars are one of the few areas in life where I pamper myself. I am not really a cigar snob, but I do buy some pretty expensive cigars and then smoke a half-dozen per day.
Don't get me wrong, I'll smoke a White Owl, if offered, but I much prefer better cigars. I'm not brand-specific, and I'll even try different styles and sizes. I don't always buy very expensive cigars but I do splurge sometimes. (I am trying to avoid recommending specifics, I probably shouldn't be suggesting people smoke.)
I smoke cigars on occasion. They dont make you sick quickly. Sure, if you do 3, 1hour burn cigars back to back, you'll feel like complete shit. But one cigar and a majority of people are done for a day or two.
In reality they're quite different, for one I have personally never found cigars in any way addictive, they certainly do have nicotine in them, lots of nicotine but since you don't inhale (mouth only) cigar smoke it seems like you don't get the super fast hit that cigarette smokers do which in turn means they're not addictive? I'm not sure of the science behind it, all I know is myself and the others who I know in the hobby do consider cigars a hobby to be picked up and put down, in a weird way the actual collecting becomes more important than the smoking. I know people who maybe smoke 1 cigar a month but are constantly buying and selling to expand their collections.
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