Health Watch (Herbal Cigarettes)
Herbal Fags or Traditional Tobacco — Just Kick the Butt!
World No Tobacco Day was observed last Saturday, May 31. Though herbal cigarettes are considered a healthier option against tobacco-infused fags with high nicotine content, lung experts debunk this misconception.
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BY PRAMITA BOSE
Did you say no to smoking on the recently commemorated
Anti-Tobacco Day? At a time when pure air is scarcely available to inhale
oxygen, thanks to environmental pollution, addiction to smoking is like then
dealing a double blow to one’s health and longevity. Whichever way cloudy fumes
of toxic smoke enter our lung passages or airways, the same could cause harm
and sometimes irreversible damage. So, kicking the butt seems the only safe
solution.
Toxic Outflow
It is alleged that herbal
cigarettes despite claiming to be natural and organic produce harmful chemicals
like tar and carbon monoxide when smoked, which in turn, could jeopardise human
health. “These chemicals can build up in your body, inducing breathing
difficulties, inflammation and an increased risk of serious health problems
down the line,” warns Dr. Arun Chowdary
Kotaru, head and senior consultant, pulmonology and sleep medicine, Artemis
Hospitals.
Noxious Content
As per statutory alert, smoking is
injurious to health and can even cause cancer. That’s why many ask if huffing
a puff of herbal cigarette smoke can also result in cancer or not.
Admitting that smoke from herbal cigarettes
does induce cancer, pulmonologist Dr
Jeenam Shah of Wockhardt Hospital from Mumbai Central, deduces that
“combustion of any organic material radiates carcinogenic chemicals, such as
PAHs (Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons), formaldehyde, benzene, etc.
These chemicals are capable of promoting cancer cells, particularly in the
lungs, throat and the mouth.”
Organic Matter
Herbal cigarettes comprise herbs,
flowers and other plant-based components. They are crafted out of a blend of
dried greens and blossoms, such as mint, rose petals, mullein, damiana, clover,
clove, lotus, lavender, lemongrass, licorice root, marshmallow root and even
tea leaves. “These are packaged as natural or therapeutic but that does not
mean they are safe to burn and draw in,” cautions Dr Shah.
“Some variations might also include sage,
chamomile or jasmine. These ingredients are typically mixed together and rolled
in paper, much like traditional cigarettes. While they are marketed as
natural, it’s important to remember that they still produce smoke when flamed,”
informs Dr. Kotaru.
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