Cigar Withdrawal
Compiled from cited sources · not yet medically reviewedUpdated 3 sources
Need help now? SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 in English and Spanish: 1-800-662-4357. In a mental health crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
Quitting nicotine? Free help: call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for your state quitline, or text QUIT to 47848 (SmokefreeTXT; message and data rates may apply).
For information only, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before stopping or changing any medication. Medical disclaimer
Quick answer
The National Cancer Institute says cigars contain nicotine and can be addictive, and that cigar smoke is often not inhaled. But NCI says that even if the smoke is not inhaled, high levels of nicotine can be absorbed through the lining of the mouth, and a single cigar can potentially provide as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. If you’re addicted, expect the general nicotine withdrawal pattern: cravings and irritability within 1 to 2 days, strongest in the first week, fading over 2 to 4 weeks.
Cigars and cigarillos withdrawal timeline at a glance
When did you last use or take it?
This places the typical ranges from this article's sources on your date. It is not a prediction or a diagnosis, and being past a phase does not mean symptoms or risks are over.
A rough guide from published sources, not medical advice. Everyone is different.
| Phase | When | What you may feel | Severity | Red flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onset | Within 1 to 2 days of quitting | Cravings; Irritability; Restlessness; Trouble concentrating | Mild | — |
| Peak | The first week | Symptoms at their strongest; Trouble sleeping; Low or depressed mood; Feeling hungrier than usual | Moderate | Thoughts of suicide or self-harm: call or text 988 now |
| Easing | Weeks 2 to 4 | Most mood and sleep symptoms fade; Cravings come less often | Mild | — |
| Lingering | After the first month | Cravings triggered by people, places or stress; Increased appetite | Mild | — |
Print a daily symptom log for this timeline · My quit tracker
Symptoms, phase by phase
Evidence note: There’s little research on withdrawal from cigars specifically. The timeline above is the general nicotine withdrawal pattern (Hughes 2007; Smokefree.gov). NCI says daily cigar smokers, particularly those who inhale, are at increased risk for heart disease and other lung diseases.
Onset: Within 1 to 2 days of quitting
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Trouble concentrating
Peak: The first week
- Symptoms at their strongest
- Trouble sleeping
- Low or depressed mood
- Feeling hungrier than usual
Easing: Weeks 2 to 4
- Most mood and sleep symptoms fade
- Cravings come less often
Lingering: After the first month
- Cravings triggered by people, places or stress
- Increased appetite
What makes withdrawal longer or shorter
- Daily use and inhaling. These increase nicotine intake.
- Cigarillos and little cigars. NCI says some little cigars have a filter, which suggests they are designed to be inhaled like cigarettes.
When to see a doctor or get help now
- Ask about nicotine replacement if you smoke daily.
- Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help.
- Call or text 988 for thoughts of suicide.
Not sure where to start? Call SAMHSA’s free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357, 24/7. See Get Help.
Tapering
NCI says limited research has looked at nicotine replacement for cigar smokers, and suggests asking your doctor or pharmacist about it, as well as counseling or quitlines.
Tips for getting through it
- Plan for social triggers
- Use gum or mints
- Read our nicotine withdrawal timeline
Frequently asked questions
Do cigars cause withdrawal?
They can, especially with daily use or inhaling.
How long does it last?
Most nicotine withdrawal fades in 2 to 4 weeks.
I only smoke on weekends. Will I get withdrawal?
We found no research on withdrawal in occasional cigar smokers, so we can’t say. NCI says even unhaled cigar smoke can deliver high levels of nicotine.
Next steps
- Track your dayEnter when you stopped to see where you are on the timeline
- Combine timelinesAdd other things you are stopping and see them on one chart
- Talk to othersAsk questions on our community forum (peer support, not medical advice)
- Read nextNicotine Withdrawal Timeline: Day by Day and Week by Week
- Get helpFree, confidential helplines and when to see a doctor
Talk to others going through it. Share your experience or ask questions on the Nicotine & Vaping board in our community forum. Forum posts are personal experiences, not medical advice. Please read the community guidelines.
Related timelines
- Nicotine Withdrawal Timeline: Day by Day and Week by Week
- Chewing Tobacco and Dip Withdrawal Timeline
- Vape Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect When You Quit Vaping
Sources
- National Cancer Institute: Cigar Smoking and Cancer
- Hughes JR. Effects of abstinence from tobacco: valid symptoms and time course. Nicotine Tob Res. 2007;9(3):315-327
- Smokefree.gov (National Cancer Institute): Understanding Withdrawal
Last reviewed: October 25, 2026. Researched and written by Withdrawal Timelines from the cited sources. This article has not yet been reviewed by a medical professional. See How We Review and our Medical Disclaimer. This is general information, not medical advice.
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