Cigarette consumption has traditionally been higher among men than women, but the tobacco boom of the 20th century changed that. In this article, we explore how the availability of cigars has changed over time for female smokers, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their daily lives and smoking habits. The 1940s and 1950s saw a virtually stable cigar market, with most cigars manufactured in the United States (outside Florida) being machine-made. Cuban seed cigars and Ecuadorian wrappers from Sumatra became increasingly popular, and cigar smokers learned the term “light”, which describes the strongest variety of filling tobacco.
Anti-smoking regulations were still in their infancy during this period, and restaurateurs welcomed cigar lovers with open arms. The tobacco boom of the 20th century saw a dramatic increase in cigar sales, with imports falling to 248.3 million cigars in 1999. Smoking bars opened, smokers' dinners flourished, and Cigar Afichado's Big Smokes attracted cigar lovers en masse. The legacy of this boom can still be seen in some of the world's most famous tobacco brands. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on smoking patterns and motivations to quit smoking among young black adults who smoke cigars.
Among those who perceived a greater risk due to smoking, none stated that they would stop smoking cigars or reduce their consumption in general. The study advocates promoting healthy and context-appropriate survival strategies and quitting cigars, as well as local tobacco regulations aimed at increasing minimum prices and reducing the widespread sale of cigarettes in black communities. The tobacco boom of the 20th century changed the availability of cigars for women smokers, leading to an increase in nicotine consumption and exposure to chemicals and carcinogens among smokers and those living with them. The nationalization of Cuba's tobacco industry led to the rise of the non-Cuban tobacco industry, while imports fell as the market struggled to absorb all the cigars that had been manufactured during this period. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on smoking patterns and motivations to quit smoking among young black adults who smoke cigars. The study advocates promoting healthy and context-appropriate survival strategies and quitting cigars, as well as local tobacco regulations aimed at increasing minimum prices and reducing the widespread sale of cigarettes in black communities.
