If you thought it was only cigarettes that were dangerous to smoke, think again, with a US study showing cigars and pipes also raise the risk of lung disease, defying their image of sophistication and celebration. Researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in New Brunswick found that even if the smoke is not inhaled, people who smoke cigars or pipes have a greater risk of airway damage that could lead to emphysema and other diseases. This research found that among more than 3,500 US adults, those who had ever smoked cigars or pipes were more likely than non-smokers to show obstructed airflow - a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - during tests of lung function. Reseachers Michael Steinberg and Cristine Delnevo said the findings were particularly important as cigars and pipes are still often seen as emblems of “sophistication, affluence, education and celebration” and people believe that not inhaling meant no harm.
