Are Swisher Sweets Cigars Really That Bad for You?

Swisher Sweets cigars have been around since the 1960s and remain one of the most popular cigar brands in the United States. With their sweet taste, low price, and variety of flavors, it's no wonder why these machine-rolled cigars are a go-to for many cigar smokers.

A Closer Look at Swisher Sweets

Swishers Sweets cigars are made by the Swisher International tobacco company. The cigars are machine-rolled and come in a range of flavors, including original, grape, peach, blueberry, strawberry, vanilla, tropical fusion, and more. The cigars are wrapped in a tobacco leaf and have a sweetened tip.

Some of the key features of Swisher Sweets cigars include:

Affordable price - Typically sell for around $1-3 per pack of 2 or 5 cigars. This makes them one of the most budget-friendly machine-made cigar options.
Small size - Swisher Sweets are a miniature cigarillo size. This makes them quick and easy to smoke.
Sweetened tip - The tip of the cigar is coated in a sweet syrup for added flavor. This gives them a sweeter taste.
Range of flavors - Swisher Sweets come in a huge variety of flavors from fruity options like peach and grape to cream flavors like vanilla. There's a lot of variety to choose from.
Mild strength - The tobacco used in Swisher Sweets is cured to create a milder, smoother smoking experience than premium hand-rolled cigars.

Swisher Sweets offer an affordable and small-sized machine-made cigar option for those looking for something on the sweeter side. The variety of flavors makes them popular for recreational use. But what does smoking them actually do to your health?

The Health Impacts of Swisher Sweets Cigars

When looking at the health effects of Swisher Sweets cigars, it's important to note that cigar smoking does carry risks like any other tobacco product. Some key health considerations include:

Cancer Risk

Like other cigars, Swishers contain cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking them long-term increases the risk of cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx, and oral cavity.

Heart Disease and Stroke Risk

Cigar smoking is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The toxins cause damage to blood vessels and arteries.

Lung Disease

Conditions like chronic bronchitis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are more common in cigar smokers. Toxins and tar can damage the lungs.

Negative Impacts on Teeth and Gums

The tobacco and smoke can lead to staining, gum disease, and increased tooth loss. Swisher Sweets contain a lot of sugar, which further damages oral health.

Secondhand Smoke Dangers

Like cigarettes, secondhand cigar smoke exposes others around you to harmful chemicals. Secondhand smoke increases health risks for nonsmokers.

Addiction Potential

While less than cigarettes, Swisher Sweets can be addictive due to containing nicotine. The flavors and smell can additionally make them more enticing and habit-forming.

So while Swisher Sweets may seem small and harmless, they do expose smokers to many of the same toxins and health dangers as other tobacco products. The health risks are very real.

Who Should Avoid Swisher Sweet Cigars?

Based on the health impacts, certain populations should avoid using Swisher Sweets or any other cigar product:

Teens and young adults - Smoking at a young age causes the most significant lung damage and easily forms addiction. Most cigars like Swishers should never be smoked by minors.
Pregnant women - Cigar smoke can affect fetal development and cause complications. Pregnant women should refrain from cigar smoking.
Individuals with heart or lung conditions - Those with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions are at an even higher risk of complications from cigar smoking.
Former cigarette smokers - The toxins in cigars could easily re-trigger addiction in those who've quit smoking. It's best for ex-cigarette smokers to avoid cigar products.

While smokers must make their own decisions, these vulnerable groups should give extra consideration to the risks versus potential benefits.

Are There Any Potential Benefits to Swishers?

Most health professionals maintain there are no health benefits to cigar smoking, only risks. However, some argue cigars like Swisher Sweets may have perks over cigarettes, including:

No inhaling - Cigar smoke is more often drawn into the mouth versus directly inhaled into the lungs like cigarettes. This may limit lung damage.
Fewer chemicals - Swisher Sweets containtobacco, flavorings, and wrappers only. Cigarettes include hundreds more added chemicals.
Infrequent smoking - If smoked only occasionally, cigars may have less risk than daily cigarette use. Moderate, light use is key.
Relaxation - Like pipe smoking, cigar use is often seen as relaxing. Nicotine may provide stress relief for some users.

But the risks still typically outweigh any advantages. Better alternatives for relaxation include yoga, exercise, listening to music, or spending time outdoors. And cigarette use still causes cancer whether inhaled or not. Overall, treating cigars as harmless is misguided.

Tips for Smoking Swisher Sweets More Safely

Again, health professionals maintain no cigar smoking is 100% safe. Abstaining completely is the only sure way to avoid risks. However, if one does choose to smoke Swisher Sweets, there are some tips to follow:

Smoke them only occasionally, such as for a special event. Don't make it a daily habit.
Don't inhale the smoke directly into your lungs like a cigarette. Let the smoke drift through your mouth.
Smoke outside away from others to limit secondhand smoke.
Brush your teeth, use mouthwash, and rinse your mouth after smoking.
Stay hydrated to counteract the drying effects smoke can have on your mouth.
Don't smoke if you have any respiratory illness or are pregnant.
If you feel any concerning symptoms - frequent coughing, difficulty breathing, etc. - contact your doctor.
Be aware of growing addiction tendencies and seek help if you feel you cannot control cigar use.

Following safe cigar smoking practices reduces (though does not eliminate) the risks. Only you can decide if the potential enjoyment outweighs the dangers for your health.

The Takeaway: Consider Your Health First

Swishers Sweets offer an inexpensive, flavored machine-made cigar option. But like all tobacco products, they also come with very real health hazards that shouldn't be downplayed. While an occasional Swisher may seem harmless, frequent long-term smoking significantly raises your risk of lung disease, cancer, gum disease, addiction, and other adverse effects. Cigar smoking is not worth the gamble for your health.