A study shows that tobacco-free “herbal“ cigarettes produce high levels of fine particles and molecules that can damage lung tissue.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Higher Particle Concentration: Researchers found that herbal cigarettes emit sub-500-nanometer particles at concentrations approximately 20% higher than tobacco smoke.
- Increased Oxidative Potential: The study measured significantly higher oxidative potential in herbal cigarette smoke, which can lead to lung tissue damage and cardiovascular disease.
- Regulatory Oversight Gaps: Products marketed as natural or therapeutic often fall outside existing tobacco-control laws, creating a public healthcare risk for consumers who perceive them as safe.
Herbal cigarettes marketed as natural and tobacco-free alternatives are not safer than conventional tobacco cigarettes and may produce more damaging emissions, according to a study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) compared the physical, chemical, and oxidative properties of smoke from tobacco and herbal cigarettes. The study analyzed two popular tobacco brands and four herbal varieties containing ingredients such as basil, clove, cinnamon, mint, and green tea.
“Our findings challenge the widely held belief that tobacco-free means risk-free,” said Sameer Patel, an assistant professor at IITGN, in a news release. “Emissions from herbal cigarettes are comparable to or exceeded those from tobacco cigarettes on nearly every metric we measured. Leaf-wrapped herbal variants turned out to be the most hazardous of all the samples tested.”
The study utilized an automated two-chamber rig to replicate human inhalation rates and isolate emissions. A key finding indicated that sub-500-nanometer particles were emitted at concentrations approximately 20% higher in herbal smoke than in tobacco smoke. These fine particles are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory disease.
The team also measured oxidative potential, which indicates the smoke’s ability to generate reactive oxygen species. These molecules drive inflammation, lung tissue remodeling, and vascular changes. Particulate matter from herbal cigarettes recorded significantly higher oxidative potential than tobacco cigarettes. Tendu-leaf-wrapped herbal variants showed oxidative potential roughly 49% higher than paper-wrapped versions.
“That finding is important because many consumers associate nicotine-free products with reduced harm,” said Vishal Verma, an associate professor at UIUC.
Chemical analysis revealed that one herbal cigarette filled with basil contained the highest lead concentration, despite being marketed as a healthy, chemical-free alternative. Lead author Alok Kumar Thakur noted that many herbal cigarettes are marketed with claims of relieving coughs, improving sleep, or easing anxiety.
“However, there is limited scientific evidence evaluating the emissions and toxicological impacts of these products,” said Alok Kumar Thakur, lead author.
The researchers highlighted a regulatory gap regarding these products. In India, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) regulates tobacco through warning labels and advertising restrictions, but tobacco-free products often fall outside this framework. Similar gaps exist in other countries, including the US.
“Combustion, fine particles, soot, trace metals, and the wrapper around them all matter more than what is written on the box,” said P S Ganesh Subramanian, a postdoctoral researcher.
The study concludes that as herbal cigarettes attract younger consumers and first-time smokers through wellness-oriented language, there is an urgent need for evidence-based regulation to safeguard public healthcare.
