Definition of Cigarillo

A cigarillo is a small type of cigar that is wrapped in tobacco leaves rather than paper. Cigarillos are usually around 3 in. long and manufactured by machine rather than hand-rolled. They are popular in Europe.

History

The word cigarillo comes from the Spanish language and means "little cigar."

Function

Cigarillos can be purchased singly or in packs, and can be made with or without filters. They are meant to be smoked like a cigar and so should not be inhaled. Each cigarillo usually contains around 3g of tobacco.

Size

A cigarillo is usually 3 in. to 4 in. long with a diameter of 10 mm. It contains around three times as much tobacco as a cigarette. Cigarillos do not need to be stored in a humidor.

Considerations

Because cigarillos are usually machine-made, they are less expensive than hand-rolled cigars. Although they are not as popular as cigarettes, in Europe they are viewed as economy cigars.

Features

In Europe, cigarillos are often called a "seven-minute cigar," because that's about how long it takes to smoke one. They often sold and held in ornamentally-designed tins to protect them and make them more attractive to consumers.

Brands

Popular brands of cigarillos in the United States include Winchester, Swisher Sweets, White Owl, Al Capone and Optimo.

Warning

Like any other tobacco product, cigarillos are bad for your health. Even though they are not meant to be inhaled, they still carry a health warning due to the fact that smoke passes into the mouth.

References

• Cigarillos