Respiratory experts bust the myth surrounding the much-hyped herbal cigarettes as a healthier option as they only lend a common impression of being harmless
Lighting a cigarette for a quick fag could stimulate your mind with renewed energy but if you are a chain smoker, this can invariably affect your lungs in the long run with several ill effects.
Although vaping (absorbing vapour through the mouth via an electronic device releasing flavoured, heated and gaseous nicotine) and consuming herbal cigarettes are promoted as safer alternatives to tobacco-infused smoking, pulmonologists raise red flags against any such habit.
Safe than sorry
Herbal cigarettes are said to be less perilous than smoking cigarettes with high tobacco content, which consists of the addictive substance of nicotine.
“Herbal cigarettes might lend the common impression of being a harmless choice since they lack nicotine but the truth is that they still discharge harsh chemicals when they’re burned. Breathing in smoke from any source, whether it’s herbal or tobacco, can adversely impact your lungs and heart. Hence, it is clear that herbal cigarettes aren’t a safe haven at all,” explains Dr Arun Chowdary Kotaru, head and senior consultant, pulmonology and sleep medicine, Artemis Hospitals.
“Even though herbal cigarettes lack nicotine and sound sustainable on page, burning any type of plant material emits harmful substances like tar and carbon monoxide. These can pose a threat to your lungs, lower the oxygen levels in your blood and put an extra strain on your heart,” reports Dr Kotaru.
Echoing the above opinion, pulmonologist Dr Jeenam Shah of Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central, agrees that “herbal cigarettes are no way a healthier option despite being devoid of nicotine or tobacco. When they burn, they effuse dangerous toxins, namely tar, carbon monoxide and carcinogens. Although they may not comprise any addictive substance in them, their smoke can still cause harm to the lungs and other organs.”
Incidentally, during herbal cigarette consumption, the lungs are also exposed to a slew of other harmful substances like formaldehyde, benzene and a bunch of particles that can mess with the respiratory system, warns Dr Kotaru.
Carcinogenic content
“When herbs are burnt, they can give off harmful substances known as carcinogens, just like tobacco. The smoke contains compounds like tar and formaldehyde, which can impair the DNA in human cells, thus intensifying the menace of lung and throat cancer,” reasons Dr Kotaru.
Burden on body
Apart from the lungs, some other bodily organs can be affected by smoking herbal cigarettes. “The smoke from herbal fags can impact vital physical parametres, potentially harming your heart by lowering oxygen levels and increasing blood pressure. Your liver and kidneys may also feel the stress as they function hard to filter out the toxic compounds. Even the brain can be impacted with possible memory loss and focus concerns over time,” Dr Kotaru concludes.
