Should You Inhale Cigar Smoke?

No, you should not inhale cigar smoke into your lungs. Cigars are meant to be tasted in the mouth and then exhaled, the same way you would appreciate a sip of wine or a mouthful of coffee. Inhaling cigar smoke is harsh, unpleasant, and often causes coughing or a strong wave of nicotine that can make you feel sick.

Why cigars are not inhaled

Cigar tobacco is different from cigarette tobacco. It is aged and fermented to be enjoyed for its flavor and aroma, and it is far richer in nicotine per puff. Cigarettes are engineered and pH-balanced so the smoke is mild enough to inhale; cigar smoke is not. Drawing it into your lungs delivers a harsh hit and a heavy dose of nicotine all at once.

How to enjoy cigar smoke instead

The proper method is simple:

• Draw the smoke gently into your mouth
• Hold it for a second or two to taste it
• Let it roll across your palate
• Exhale, out the mouth or partly through the nose

You experience all the flavor this way, sweetness, spice, earthiness, without any of the harshness of inhaling.

What about retrohaling?

There is one advanced technique worth knowing: the retrohale. Instead of inhaling into the lungs, you gently push a little smoke out through your nose while it is in your mouth. Your sense of smell picks up aromas the tongue cannot, revealing subtle notes. It is not inhaling, the smoke never enters your lungs, and experienced smokers use it to taste a cigar more fully. Start with a tiny amount; it can tingle at first.

What happens if you accidentally inhale

If you inhale by mistake, especially as a beginner, you may cough, feel dizzy, or get a queasy, light-headed rush from the nicotine (sometimes called "getting sick" off a cigar). It passes. Slow down, sip water, and eat something. Then go back to tasting in the mouth only.

Where to go next

Learn the full method in how to smoke a cigar properly, try the technique in how to retrohale, and understand the cause of that queasy feeling in nicotine sickness from cigars.