Little Cigars & Cigarillos

Little cigars and cigarillos – including brand names like Swisher Sweets, Dutch Masters, Phillies, and Black & Milds – are made of tobacco wrapped in whole leaf tobacco. The difference, compared to cigarettes, is that cigarettes are made of tobacco wrapped in paper that does not contain tobacco. However, these products have a lot in common. Cigars contain the same toxic and cancer-causing chemicals and compounds found in cigarettes and are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.¹ Though generally similar to cigarette smoke, cigar smoke contains higher levels of harmful chemicals, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia, and tar. ² Here are the facts:

• Regular cigar smoking can increase your risk for cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), and oral cavity (lip, tongue, mouth, throat). ^{3, 4}
• Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth loss. ⁵
• Heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.^{6, 7}
• Heavy cigar smokers, and those who inhale deeply, may be at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.^{8, 9}

Cigarillos, which are more popular,¹⁰ are short (3–4 inches) and narrow cigars that usually do not include a filter. Little cigars are the same size and shape as cigarettes, often include a filter, and are packaged in a similar way. But they are taxed differently than cigarettes. Some tobacco companies increase the weight of little cigars to qualify as “large cigars” under the federal tax code. As a result, these tobacco companies avoid the cigarette flavor ban and are taxed at a lower rate. ^{11, 12}

Youth and Little Cigars

As of September 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned flavored cigarettes with the exception of menthol. The FDA has indicated that it intends to extend the current ban on flavors to cigars (excluding menthol), but that has not happened yet. So little cigars and cigarillos often contain candy or fruit flavors like sour apple, cherry, grape, and chocolate that appeal to kids and young adults. ^{13, 14} Tobacco companies have a long history of developing and marketing flavored tobacco products as “starter” products that attract kids. ¹⁵ Not only are little cigars and cigarillos flavored, they are cheap. Small cigars can be purchased individually and come as cheap as three for 89 cents, which makes them very affordable for young people with limited budgets. ¹⁶

Cigars and cigarillos are currently not subject to other FDA regulations such as bans on deceptive terms like “light,” “mild,” and “low-tar.” ¹⁷ Little cigar and cigarillo companies are also exempt from certain advertising bans, so brands can market their products on websites and social media channels that reach a lot of youth, like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. ¹⁸

Editor’s Note:
It is important to note that cigarillos are also used for marijuana smoking. Tobacco Free Florida’s information and resources focus on cigar products that include tobacco and nicotine.