NE HEALTH BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, MAY 29
For many smokers looking to quit tobacco or embrace a “healthier” lifestyle, herbal cigarettes have emerged as an attractive alternative. Marketed as natural, chemical-free, nicotine-free and even therapeutic, these products have gained popularity among young adults and wellness-conscious consumers.
However, a groundbreaking study by Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has delivered a stark warning: herbal does not mean harmless.
- Joint IIT Gandhinagar–University of Illinois study debunks the myth that herbal cigarettes are safer than tobacco
- Researchers find herbal cigarette smoke can be equally or even more harmful than conventional tobacco smoke
- Study reveals higher concentrations of fine particles and toxic oxidative compounds in several herbal variants
- Experts warn that “natural” and “chemical-free” marketing claims may mislead consumers, especially youth
- Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, scientists call for stronger regulation and greater public awareness
The research, published in the prestigious Journal of Hazardous Materials, found that emissions from herbal cigarettes can be just as harmful—and in some cases more dangerous—than smoke from conventional tobacco cigarettes.
With World No Tobacco Day being observed on May 31, the findings serve as a powerful reminder that all forms of smoking carry significant health risks.
The Dangerous Myth of “Healthy Smoking”
The study examined emissions from two leading tobacco cigarette brands and four widely sold herbal cigarette varieties containing ingredients such as basil, clove, cinnamon, mint, green tea, chamomile and water lily.
Researchers discovered that the smoke generated from these products often contained alarming levels of hazardous particles and toxic compounds.
“Our findings challenge the widely held belief that tobacco-free means risk-free. Emissions from herbal cigarettes are comparable to or exceed 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,“ said Sameer Patel, Assistant Professor at IIT Gandhinagar.
What Happens When a Herbal Cigarette Burns?
To simulate real-world smoking conditions, researchers used a sophisticated automated chamber replicating human inhalation patterns.
The results raised serious concerns.
Scientists found that herbal cigarettes emitted approximately 20 per cent more ultra-fine particles than conventional tobacco cigarettes. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream and are increasingly linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation.
Even more worrying was the measurement of “Oxidative Potential” (OP)—a key indicator of a substance’s ability to generate harmful reactive oxygen species inside the human body.
Higher Toxicity, Greater Health Risks
According to the study, particulate matter from herbal cigarettes showed significantly higher oxidative potential than tobacco smoke.
Particularly concerning were herbal products wrapped in tendu leaves—the same leaves commonly used in bidis.
Researchers found that these variants recorded oxidative potential levels nearly 49 per cent higher than paper-wrapped products.
“That finding is important because many consumers associate nicotine-free products with reduced harm,“ noted Vishal Verma, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois.
Adding to the concern, chemical analysis revealed that one basil-filled herbal cigarette marketed as “100% natural” and “chemical-free” contained the highest concentration of lead among all products tested.
Youth and First-Time Smokers Most Vulnerable
Health experts fear that wellness-oriented marketing may be attracting younger consumers and first-time smokers who mistakenly perceive herbal cigarettes as safe.
Many herbal cigarette manufacturers promote their products with claims that they:
- Relieve anxiety
- Improve sleep
- Ease cough symptoms
- Support healthy living
However, scientists caution that there is limited scientific evidence supporting such claims.
Lead author Alok Kumar Thakur said:
“Several herbal cigarettes tested in the study were marketed with claims of relieving cough, improving sleep, or easing anxiety. However, there is limited scientific evidence evaluating the emissions and toxicological impacts of these products.“
A Regulatory Blind Spot
The study also highlights a significant regulatory challenge.
India’s Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act regulates tobacco products through warning labels, advertising restrictions and public smoking rules. However, products marketed as tobacco-free often escape similar scrutiny.
Researchers argue that this loophole could leave consumers vulnerable to misleading health claims.
“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 Public Health Message for World No Tobacco Day
As the world observes World No Tobacco Day under the theme “Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” the study underscores a critical public health message:
There is no safe cigarette.
Whether tobacco-based or herbal, burning plant material produces toxic substances capable of harming the lungs, heart and blood vessels.
Researchers believe stronger regulations, transparent labeling and widespread public awareness campaigns are urgently needed to prevent consumers from being misled by “natural” marketing claims.
For smokers seeking better health, experts say the safest option remains not switching to herbal cigarettes—but quitting smoking altogether.
