No, cigars are not inhaled. You draw the smoke into your mouth, taste it and let it go again. This differs from a cigarette, where the smoke is drawn into the lungs. With cigars, flavour is the point, not inhaling.
Why you don't smoke cigars into the lungs
Cigar smoke is denser and more intense than cigarette smoke. The nicotine is already absorbed through the lining of the mouth, so there's no need to inhale. Taken into the lungs, the smoke would simply be unpleasant for most people.
How to smoke a cigar properly
- Draw the smoke slowly into your mouth.
- Hold it a moment and taste it.
- Exhale again, through the mouth, not via the lungs.
What is retrohaling?
When retrohaling, you let a small part of the smoke escape gently through the nose. This opens up additional aromas, but it's a matter of taste and more for the experienced. It isn't a must.
An honest word
If the smoke turns sharp, pace is often the reason: read more in Why does a cigar turn bitter?.
Frequently asked questions
Do you absorb nicotine when smoking a cigar?
- Yes, through the lining of the mouth, even without inhaling.
What's the difference between a cigar and a cigarette?
- A cigarette is inhaled, a cigar is not. A cigar is about flavour and lingering, not fast effect.
Is smoking cigars without inhaling harmless?
- No. The risk is lower than inhaling, but not zero.
From the house of SB Cigars. When flavour is the focus, every detail counts. More about our SB Robusto here.