Prevalence and Correlates of Cigar Relighting: A National Survey

Although a few studies on cigarette relighting (i.e. smoking, extinguishing, saving, and later lighting again) exist, to our knowledge, only one published study has reported on cigar relighting, despite online anecdotal evidence suggesting it may be common. The present study aimed to characterize cigar relighting behavior, potential correlates, and reasons for relighting.

An online survey was administered to a convenience sample of US adults aged 18-45. Relighting was examined by cigar type (traditional/premium, filtered, cigarillos) among a subgroup who reported last 12-month cigar smoking.

Approximately 44% (n=176) of people who smoked cigars in the last 12 months (n=403) reported relighting, with over 60% of those currently (some days or every day) smoking traditional cigars, filtered cigars, or cigarillos engaging in relighting. Common relighting reasons were not wanting to finish (87%), to save money/make cigars last longer (58%), and to quit/cut back/reduce harm (41%). Forty-four percent endorsed typically relighting each cigar only once, 30% twice, 18% three times, and 8% a varied number of times. Over half (52%) who smoked cigarillos (last 12 months) smoked them as cannabis blunts and were more likely (48.9%) to report both first lit and relit cigars equally satisfying compared to others who relit cigarillos (35.2%). Cigar relighting was more common among individuals who reported Black race or Hispanic ethnicity (p=0.04).

Similar to cigarettes, cigar relighting was prevalent in this study of adults 45 and under. Future research is needed to understand potential associations with nicotine dependence, toxicant exposures, health risks, and treatment/quitting.