Cigars Most cigars are composed primarily of a single type of tobacco (air-cured and fermented tobacco), and they have a tobacco wrapper. They can contain between 1 gram and 20 grams of tobacco. Cigars vary in size and shape. Three sizes are sold in the United States: Large cigars can measure more than 7 inches in length, and they typically contain between 5 and 20 grams of tobacco. Some premium cigars contain the tobacco equivalent of an entire pack of cigarettes. Large cigars can take between 1 and 2 hours to smoke. Cigarillos are a type of smaller cigar. They are a little bigger than little cigars and cigarettes and contain about 3 grams of tobacco. Little cigars are the same size and shape as cigarettes (20 little cigars in a package) and contain about 1 gram of tobacco. Also, unlike large cigars, some little cigars have a filter, which makes it seem they are designed to be smoked like cigarettes. Are there harmful chemicals in cigar smoke? Yes. Cigar smoke, like cigarette smoke, contains toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that are harmful to both smokers and nonsmokers. Cigar smoke is possibly more toxic than cigarette smoke. Cigar smoke has: A higher level of cancer-causing substances: During the fermentation process for cigar tobacco, high concentrations of cancer-causing nitrosamines are produced. More tar: For every gram of tobacco smoked, there is more cancer-causing tar in cigars than in cigarettes. A higher level of toxins: Cigar wrappers are less porous than cigarette wrappers. As a result, compared with cigarette smoke, the concentrations of toxins are higher in cigar smoke. TF LUNG SAYS: Little cigars are no bigger or safer than a cigarette. Sponsored by the Macomb County Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Macomb County Health Department. 586.469.5373. Disclaimer