Stogeyism

Wednesday, May 6, 1998

Stogeyism

TRENDS: Cigars grow increasingly popular among

students due to their timeless image,

high status

By Michelle Navarro

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

When Joel Magsalin turned 21, not only was Jack Daniels there to
partake in the festivities, but so was that friend of his who has
skyrocketed in popularity among college students within the last
few years – the stogie.

The cigar is no longer just a chunk of tobacco that people smoke
at a ripe old age or the party favor passed around in hospitals
when a baby is born. Now that sweet-scented roll is lit up outside
of Powell Library for study breaks, up on rooftops late at night,
or even at birthday parties.

Earlier this month, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) released
"Cigars: Health Effects and Trends," a 10-page monograph that
reported on the health risks associated with daily cigar
smoking.

According to the study, the growing interest in cigars began
after 1964 when the surgeon general published the first warning
about the health risks surrounding cigarettes. When law makers
prohibited cigarette advertising on television and radio four years
later, it opened a window for commercializing small cigars.

More recently, in the 1990s, cigars have attained higher
visibility with the publication of "Cigar Aficionado" magazine,
increased use by celebrities, and events like cigar parties and
banquets.

As a result, cigar use in the United States since 1993 has gone
up about 50 percent and in California, the study reported, the
highest increase, approximately 200 percent, was among college-aged
males.

"We opened up in June 1994," said Gregory Hill, owner of the
Politically Incorrect Cigar Shop and Lounge in Westwood. "Every
year more and more students come in to buy cigars. We sell to
people before they go to formals, or to different fraternity guys.
They basically come in and drive me crazy."

According to Hill, a good cigar runs anywhere from $8 to $12,
which is a lot more costly than a pack of cigarettes.

"Students have a tendency to be more dollar-conscious than
most," Hill added, noting that they usually purchase the more
economical cigar on the market. Even so, the price is more.

So why are Bruins lighting up the fat stogie as opposed to the
thinner Marlboro?

"Cigars are like life," said Michael Cooper, a third-year
biology student, "They only last for so long. And they’re
classic."

Sure, who can deny that the image of Jack Nicholson or Grandpa
Joe holding a stogie isn’t classic? Photos and snapshots of people
puffing away at the lit accessory portray an air of confidence and
timelessness. Not to mention, what can be more sophisticated than
going to a cigar banquet? The statistics report that cigar use is
growing among the "higher socioeconomic status individuals."

However, the scale is also tipping toward cigars because of
health reasons.

Cooper, who began smoking cigars after his junior year in high
school, said he only smokes about once every two weeks, claiming
that cigars aren’t as addicting as cigarettes.

Results from the NCI study collaborate with Cooper, based on the
fact that there is a lower rate of cigar smokers who inhale and
less overall use compared to cigarette smokers. Cigars do contain
nicotine, which is addictive. But since most don’t inhale, the
nicotine is mostly absorbed through the lining of the mouth, "which
leads to a slower rise and lower peak in the blood compared to
cigarette smokers, who absorb nicotine primarily through the
lungs."

Developing cancer is also a risk cigar smokers hazard since
stogies, like their cousins the cigarettes, are composed of several
toxic and carcinogenic compounds. However, again, the difference in
degree of risk correlates with the amount of daily use and
inhalation.

Both equally place the user in danger of acquiring oral and
esophageal cancer since smoking requires direct contact with the
lips, mouth, larynx, throat, and tongue.

Although several reports regarding cigar-related risks have been
published, Hill has trouble accepting them.

"There haven’t been any conclusive studies," he said.

Also, most of the studies, including the one conducted by the
NCI pertain to daily smokers, whereas most college students
consider themselves casual and occasional smokers.

Most likely, the risks are still present, but at a lower effect
because of the infrequent use.

As for Magsalin, who had his first cigar on his birthday, he
doesn’t plan on continuing to smoke.

"Probably not just because I don’t like smoking," he said. "I
mean it was pretty cool but I’m not really interested in it. It’s
bad for you."

For further health risk or cancer information, call the Cancer
Information Service of California at 1-800-422-6237.

LYNN NISHIMURA

Peter Khairolomour (left) and Brad Vance enjoy cigars while
relaxing in Royce Quad.