Herbal Cigarettes May Pose Greater Health Risks Than Conventional Tobacco, New Study Warns

According to the study, herbal cigarette smoke matched or exceeded tobacco smoke across nearly every parameter measured. The most concerning results were linked to herbal cigarettes wrapped in tendu leaves, commonly used in bidis, which emerged as the most hazardous products among those tested.

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Herbal cigarettes, often promoted as natural and tobacco-free alternatives to conventional smoking products, may not be the safer option many consumers believe them to be. A new scientific study has found that the emissions generated by herbal cigarettes can be as harmful as and in some cases even more harmful than those produced by traditional tobacco cigarettes.

The research, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, was conducted by scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar in collaboration with researchers from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The study evaluated the physical and chemical characteristics of smoke emitted from commercially available herbal and tobacco cigarette brands sold in India.

Researchers examined four popular herbal cigarette variants containing ingredients such as basil, clove, cinnamon, mint, green tea, chamomile, and water lily, alongside two leading tobacco cigarette brands. The findings challenge the common perception that products marketed as “tobacco-free” or “natural” carry lower health risks.

According to the study, herbal cigarette smoke matched or exceeded tobacco smoke across nearly every parameter measured. The most concerning results were linked to herbal cigarettes wrapped in tendu leaves, commonly used in bidis, which emerged as the most hazardous products among those tested.

Scientists found that herbal cigarettes released approximately 20 percent more ultrafine particles measuring less than 500 nanometres compared to tobacco cigarettes. These microscopic particles are known to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

The study also assessed the oxidative potential of cigarette smoke, an indicator of its ability to generate reactive oxygen species, which can trigger inflammation and damage tissues. Results showed that particulate matter from herbal cigarettes exhibited significantly higher oxidative potential than tobacco cigarette emissions. In particular, tendu leaf-wrapped variants demonstrated nearly 49 percent higher oxidative activity than paper-wrapped products.

Another notable finding involved the presence of heavy metals. One herbal cigarette containing basil, despite being marketed as “100 percent natural” and “chemical-free,” recorded the highest concentration of lead among all products analysed. Researchers noted that such findings are especially important because many consumers associate nicotine-free products with reduced harm.

The investigation further highlighted a regulatory blind spot. While tobacco products in India are governed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), many herbal cigarettes marketed as tobacco-free do not fall under the same regulatory framework. This allows manufacturers to promote health-related claims with comparatively limited oversight.

The researchers have called for comprehensive toxicological evaluations and stronger regulatory scrutiny of herbal smoking products. They argue that the absence of tobacco does not automatically make a smoking product safe, particularly when combustion generates harmful particles, chemicals, and oxidative compounds capable of damaging human health.

The findings add to growing evidence that “natural” or “herbal” labels can create a misleading perception of safety, underscoring the need for consumers to exercise caution when considering alternatives to conventional cigarettes.