well, folks, time for another newbish question: what's up with chewing on cigars?

i've not done it and never seen it done, so i'm not even sure whether this is something people do when the cigar is lit or unlit! any wisdom about this, o brethren (or sistren)?

-sicilian tony

haven't seen this very often...I think it's just something to do when you have a serious habit and like to pre-occupy your mouth (DMV and Jay, get your mind out of the gutter) and like the taste/nicotine???

Damn Ethan...

You owe me a new kb. I just spit soda out my nose reading your post!

But essentially you are correct...

The late comedian Red Skelton used to chews cigars while standing in his swimming pool. He never lit them, but literally chewed them down to a nub.

LLT,What were you doing in Red Skelton's pool? X

A couple of the older guys at my club chew on their cigars. They also smoke them too... I can't see how they can get ant type of draw thru the wet, sloppy, chewed end. One guy just gets a pair of scissors and cuts off the 1-1/2 inches of slop, relights and starts the chewing/smoking process all over again...

Don't know how they do it... it's not for me...

Low

Sounds like a guaranteed shortcut to mouth and throat cancer to me.

I smoked cigarettes for years so one draw every 45 seconds or so just isn't enough, I chew to keep me from continually drawing.

R. Harris from Honduras writes:

I never chew on cigars however I like "chewy" puros because it is an indicator that the cigar has good moisture content and has been well stored. And if there is is blockage a "chewy" cigar can be loosened up to improve the draw.

It depends on the taste of the wrapper for me. i have found myself from time to time chewing on it ( not gnarling it though ) , but i used to chew on leaf tobacco as a teen and some cigars produce that sweet taste that's pleasing. but as far as a shortcut to throat and gum / mouth cancer ??? if it's going to happen.....chew or not it's gonna happen . occupational hazzard of smoking.

but as for chewing..... i did smoke ciggaretts and that little extra "kick" of nicotine is helpful to beat off the edge or craving of a ciggarette . some leaf is pretty tasty !

I've known a few folks who don't really smoke cigars although they might light them. They just basically eat'um. That has never appealed to me, but then I never really developed an affinity for chewing tobacco either, although I've tried it. My understanding is that a chewing tobacco addiction, even though the nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth, tongue and throat, can be even more powerful than a smoking addiction, even cigarettes.

Agree with contendertotes, I don't think cancer is anymore likely by chewing a cigar versus smoking it. If it happens, it happens (and we all take the informed risk). Just my thoughts............

"If it happens, it happens."

"If it's going to happen... chew or not it's gonna happen."

You guys are trying to make it sound like you have an equal chance of getting it whether you smoke/chew or not, which is ridiculous. If you're going to take a calculated risk, at least admit it!

thanks for the input guys -- didn't know if i was missing out on some old-school insider's cigar secret or what! lol

(and we all take the informed risk)............

***Cigarick

You guys are trying to make it sound like you have an equal chance of getting it whether you smoke/chew or not, which is ridiculous. If you're going to take a calculated risk, at least admit it!**

Ok , i admit it.....i'm taking a calculated risk. what's the percentage ? chewers get cancer , smokers get cancer.......and i'm sure there's a percentage for the smokers that chew on cigars "while " they are smoking them ! so it doesn't really matter the calculated risk ! as it does matter that "if" you use tobacco....any way....you have a chance of getting cancer...that's the risk. as for who get's it sooner or later is a total mute point as i'd rather not get it at any time , but since i do "use" tobacco i do run the "risk" of getting cancer. i enjoy smoking a good cigar , and on occation i still smoke a ciggarette of which i am slowly fading out ! and it's been hard to quit after 25 years...but i'm down to about a pack every 12 day's . you'd think i could just stop by now but i'm working on it and it will happen ! so as far a cancer goes......i may already have it and not know it , i may get it now that i quit ( i've heard of that happening just by chance) or i may die of something else...only the dealer knows. so i do say ,yes there is an equal chance ! who's to say i won't get cancer before another.....but who's to say i will.......50-50 call ! looks equal to me.

Cavallo didn't mean to stray away from the question at hand !!

some do and some don't , not good or bad. just a preffered taste , style , action ...take your pick . i do on occation but not all the time. it happens 🙂

contendertotes........there is also a percentage of the population that develops lung/mouth/sinus cancer that have never smoked/chewed/used tobacco in any form in their lives..........go figger!!!!!!!!!

Agree completely with what you said..........

Risk of getting mouth/throat cancer:

Cigarettes: Low

Pipe: Moderate

Cigars: Moderate to high

Chew: High

Deny that.

nah, this has been informative, too contender. but if someone wants to post some stats, and just so more folks will read a thread on risks, we could start a new thread about cigar smoking and the other, bad "C" word.

I am essentially a newbie. I have been smoking cigars for 5 years. I have always chewed on the end while smoking......my friend mentioned that he never does that. I thought the norm was to, sort of, destroy the enfd in your mouth while you enjoy the smoke!