FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1997
CONTACT: Jann Ingmire; [email protected]
Chris Martin; [email protected]; 312/4440-2806
Cigar Smoking Is Dangerous, Not Glamorous, American Dental Association
Warns
CHICAGO -- Cigar sales are up as tobacco companies use movie stars and
athletes to boost the popularity of cigar smoking by making it look
sophisticated and glamorous. But, the American Dental Association (ADA)
warns that even occasional cigar smoking may contribute to serious oral
health risks.
"There is nothing glamorous or sexy about bad breath, stained teeth or
oral cancer, all of which may result from smoking cigars," states Greg
Connolly, DDS. Dr. Connolly is an expert spokesperson for the ADA on
tobacco issues.
Cigar smokers may be at greater risk of death from cancer of the mouth
and throat than nonsmokers.
"Smoking cigars is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. Many
former cigarette smokers unintentionally inhale cigar smoke," Dr.
Connolly says. "These smokers are at risk for many of the same diseases
associated with cigarette smoking, including lung cancer, emphysema,
stroke and heart attack. Even if inhalation doesn't occur, the juices
from the cigar and the cigar smoke increase the user's risk of oral and
pharyngeal cancer."
Dentists readily detect the adverse oral effects of tobacco use
(cigarettes, cigars, smokeless) during an examination and can help
patients with a tobacco cessation program.
The ADA views tobacco use as the enemy of good oral health and has a
long history of fighting tobacco use. In 1964, the ADA first adopted
policies to discourage tobacco use and to help dentists educate their
patients about the dangers of tobacco use.
The Association supports the regulations adopted by the Food and Drug
Administration to regulate tobacco products, categorize nicotine as a
drug and restrict access to the products by children. The ADA urges
federal and state governmental leaders to strengthen and expand their
roles in tobacco-use education, prevention, research and cessation
efforts.
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See Cigar Fact Sheet; CIGARFCT.ADA
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