Felt Sick After Smoking a Cigar?

Most of us have had this problem at least once in our lifetime. You're eager for a cigar. You light one up. You smoke through it enthusiastically. Then, before you know it, you feel sick. You are lightheaded, nauseated, sweating. This is not a good state to be in and not what you expected. It happens, but it sure can be avoided. The aftereffect of smoking a good cigar should be nothing but relaxation, comfort and joy.

So, how can we avoid this phenomenon of getting sick from a cigar? To answer this question, one must understand the components of the process of smoking a cigar. One, how much tobacco are you consuming? Second, how strong is the tobacco you are consuming? And, finally, how much time are you dedicating to consuming the given tobacco?

You must consider the amount of tobacco you are consuming by evaluating the size of your cigar. A double corona, i.e. 7 x 52, or a gordo, i.e. 6.5 x 60 contains a lot more tobacco than a corona, i.e. 5.5 x 44, or a classic robusto, i.e. 5 x 50. It may also be the case, that a box-pressed cigar will contain slightly less tobacco than an equally sized round cigar. To experiment, weigh your cigar. Notice that a smaller cigar will contain less than half an ounce of tobacco, while larger cigars may contain an ounce or more.

Next, determine the strength of your cigar. Research the particular cigar you are about to smoke through reviews and/or information provided by the manufacturer. Understand whether you are about to smoke a mild cigar, a medium cigar, a full-bodied cigar, or something in-between.

Once you know about the size and strength of your cigar, allocate plenty of time to smoking it. Take your time. Take a long pause between puffs. If you have to relight the cigar after a long pause - that’s ok. However, if your cigar is going out on you very quickly and frequently, this could be a sign that the tobacco is underfermented and is too bold. You may want to consider putting that cigar down to avoid getting sick. If you feel a slight "buzz" - as they say in the business - put the cigar down and take a break until you feel normal again.

If you take your time with your cigar and listen to your body every step of the way, you will never get sick from a cigar again.