Context:
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day (May 31), a new study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials has raised serious concerns for public health policy.
The joint research conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the University of Illinois, USA, found that herbal cigarettes marketed as “natural” and “tobacco-free” are just as harmful, or even more harmful, than conventional tobacco products.
Key Findings of the Study
Scientists compared two leading tobacco cigarette brands available in India with four popular herbal cigarette variants containing ingredients such as tulsi (holy basil), clove, cinnamon, green tea, and chamomile. The major findings were as follows:
1. Higher Emission of Fine Particulate Matter
The smoke generated by herbal cigarettes contained 20% higher concentrations of sub-500-nanometer fine particles compared to tobacco cigarettes. These microscopic particles are capable of crossing the alveolar barrier in the lungs and entering the bloodstream directly.
2. Increased Oxidative Potential (OP)
Herbal cigarette smoke exhibited a significantly higher oxidative potential, which increases the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the body. Elevated ROS levels can lead to DNA damage, severe inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases at the cellular level.
3. Impact of the Wrapper Material
Herbal cigarette variants wrapped in tendu leaves (similar to bidis) showed 49% higher oxidative potential than those wrapped in paper, making them potentially more damaging to human health.
4. Presence of Toxic Heavy Metals
Some tulsi-based herbal cigarettes claiming to be “100% natural” were found to contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, raising further concerns regarding their safety.
Policy Concerns and Regulatory Gaps
In India, tobacco products are regulated under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. However, herbal cigarettes generally fall outside the scope of this legislation because they do not contain tobacco or nicotine.
This regulatory loophole has created two major concerns:
• Misleading Marketing (Greenwashing)
Manufacturers often promote herbal cigarettes as wellness products or as a safe alternative for quitting smoking. Such marketing creates a false sense of safety, particularly among young people and non-smokers.
• The Science of Combustion
The study highlights that the primary public health risk is not limited to nicotine alone. The process of burning any organic material produces harmful smoke, tar, soot, and toxic particles that can adversely affect human health.
Way Forward:
• Strengthening the Regulatory Framework
The government should consider expanding the scope of COTPA to include tobacco-free smoking products and mandate statutory health warnings on their packaging.
• Standardization and Quality Control
Regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) should establish strict testing standards for heavy metals and other harmful substances present in herbal smoking products.
• Public Awareness Campaigns
Comprehensive health awareness campaigns are needed to communicate the message that “natural does not necessarily mean safe.” Such initiatives can help counter misleading narratives surrounding herbal cigarettes.
Conclusion
At present, herbal cigarettes often escape stringent regulatory oversight because of their “natural” and “tobacco-free” claims. Experts warn that this misleading marketing encourages greater consumption by creating the impression that these products are harmless. However, emerging scientific evidence suggests that herbal cigarettes may pose serious health risks comparable to, or even greater than, conventional cigarettes. Therefore, public health experts recommend imposing regulations, safety standards, and health warnings on herbal cigarettes similar to those applied to tobacco products in order to better protect public health.
