Cigars: No Such Thing As a Safe Smoke

For the first time, cigar packages and ads will soon warn smokers about the serious health risks of cigar smoking. Whether you buy Coronas or Churchills, Panatelas, Robustos, Lonsdales, or any other kind of cigar, be on the lookout for five new federally mandated health warnings. The messages may sound familiar: Cigarette companies have been required to give similar health warnings since the mid-1960's and smokeless tobacco manufacturers since the mid-1980's.

The warnings follow a report by the National Cancer Institute detailing the health risks of cigar smoking. Specifically, cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx and lungs. For smokers who inhale, the health risks increase dramatically. Cigar smoking also can cause heart disease and emphysema.

The warnings, which cigar companies are required to rotate, include:

Cigar companies will be required to display these warnings clearly and prominently on packages, in print ads, on audio and video ads, on the Internet, and on point-of-purchase displays. The point, say federal consumer protection and health officials, is to make sure that companies disclose the health risks of cigar smoking and that consumers understand that there's no such thing as a safe smoke.

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