{"id":13124,"date":"2026-06-03T12:35:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T07:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?p=13124"},"modified":"2026-06-03T12:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T07:05:32","slug":"herbal-cigarettes-health-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/herbal-cigarettes-health-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"Herbal Cigarettes as Harmful as Tobacco, Study Reveals Serious Health Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Herbal Cigarettes: A new study by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN) is debunking popular misconceptions about the safety of herbal cigarettes compared to tobacco cigarettes. By examining the study, the author concluded that emissions from herbal cigarettes are as harmful, or even more harmful, than emissions from conventional, tobacco-based cigarettes. In fact, some products used as herbal cigarettes showed increased concentrations of fine particulate matter and oxidative potential, which has raised concerns about the health impact on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The results reveal that in a similarly curious fashion, even \u201cnatural\u201d and \u201ctobacco-free\u201d labels don&#8217;t imply safety to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Herbal Cigarettes Found as Harmful as Tobacco Cigarettes \u2013 Key Findings<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar have carried out the study along with international researchers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The results of the study are published in a scientific journal, Journal of Hazardous Materials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As natural and tobacco free and safer alternatives, herbal cigarettes are widely advertised.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scientists determine embroilment of herbal tobacco cigarettes can be as high or higher as the ones created from tobacco cigarettes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The study was a comparison of the herbal and Tobacco cigarette brands that are available in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Custom Air has restored about 20% of the levels of sub-500 nanometer particles produced by the herbal cigarette smoke.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fine particulate matter may enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exposure to such particles is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The oxidative potential (OP) \u2013 a measure of smoke&#8217;s capacity to produce harmful reactive oxygen species \u2013 was measured.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The emissions from the herbal cigarettes had an extremely high level of oxidative potential compared to tobacco cigarettes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In some tendu-wrapped herbal cigarettes, the oxidative potential increased by up to almost 49% compared to paper-wrapped cigarettes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the study, harmful metals and carbon-containing compounds were identified in the smoke emissions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A particular herbal product contained a very high level of lead despite its claim of being chemical-free.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The expression natural does not equal safe,\u201d researchers said.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Herbal cigarettes may not be subject to conventional tobacco control policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The study recommends that herbal smoking products be better regulated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People are not well-versed in the health hazards associated with smoking with herbs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Properly, scientists point out that smoke from any burning substance can affect one&#8217;s health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The results can help dispel any misinformation about &#8220;herbal smoking products.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The research adds to the need for evidence-based Public health policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(PYQs) on Tobacco Control and Public Health &#8211; Herbal Cigarettes<\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Exam<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Question<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Options<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Answer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2022<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for which disease?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(A) Malaria (B) Lung Cancer (C) Dengue (D) Cholera<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(B) Lung Cancer<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SSC CGL<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which organization leads global tobacco control efforts?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(A) WHO (B) UNESCO (C) FAO (D) IMF<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(A) WHO<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UPSC Prelims<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2020<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is related to:<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(A) Trade (B) Climate Change (C) Public Health (D) Biodiversity<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(C) Public Health<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CDS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2022<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Passive smoking refers to:<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(A) Occasional smoking (B) Exposure to second-hand smoke (C) Herbal smoking (D) Vaping<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(B) Exposure to second-hand smoke<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CAPF<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which organ is most directly affected by smoking?<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(A) Liver (B) Kidney (C) Lungs (D) Pancreas<\/span><\/td>\n<td><b>(C) Lungs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/myanmar-assures-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Myanmar Assures India<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why the Study on Herbal Cigarettes is Important<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The study is significant because it challenges a widespread misconception that herbal cigarettes are harmless due to their tobacco-free composition. Scientific evidence shows that the process of burning herbal ingredients generates harmful particles and toxic compounds capable of affecting lung and heart health. As herbal smoking products gain popularity among young adults and health-conscious consumers, the findings emphasise the need for stronger regulation, accurate labelling, and public awareness campaigns. The research also highlights the importance of relying on scientific evidence rather than marketing claims when assessing health risks associated with smoking products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conclusion &#8211; Herbal Cigarettes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IIT Gandhinagar study provides strong evidence that herbal cigarettes are not a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Despite being marketed as natural and tobacco-free, these products can generate harmful emissions that may pose serious risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health. The findings demonstrate that smoke from any combustible material can be dangerous and that consumers should not assume safety based on \u201cherbal\u201d labelling alone. The study also underscores the need for stronger regulatory oversight and greater public awareness to prevent misconceptions about herbal smoking products and protect public health. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2>FAQs &#8211; Herbal Cigarettes<\/h2>\n<div class=\"cfaq-wrapper\" data-multiple=\"0\"><div class=\"cfaq-item cfaq-open\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"true\">What are herbal cigarettes?<span class=\"cfaq-icon\">&#8743;<\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\"><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Herbal cigarettes are smoking products made from herbs, flowers, or plant materials instead of tobacco and are often marketed as natural or tobacco-free alternatives.<\/span><\/div><div><br><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Which institution conducted the recent study on herbal cigarettes?<span class=\"cfaq-icon\">&#8744;<\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The study was conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar in collaboration with international researchers.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">What did the study reveal about herbal cigarettes?<span class=\"cfaq-icon\">&#8744;<\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The study found that herbal cigarettes can produce harmful emissions similar to or even greater than those produced by conventional tobacco cigarettes.<\/span><\/div><div><br><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Are herbal cigarettes nicotine-free?<span class=\"cfaq-icon\">&#8744;<\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Most herbal cigarettes do not contain nicotine, but they can still release toxic substances when burned.<\/span><\/div><div><br><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Why are herbal cigarettes harmful?<span class=\"cfaq-icon\">&#8744;<\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Burning herbal materials generates fine particulate matter, toxic chemicals, and reactive oxygen species that can damage the lungs and cardiovascular system.<\/span><\/div><div><br><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Herbal Cigarettes: A new study by the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN) is debunking popular misconceptions about the safety of herbal cigarettes compared to tobacco cigarettes. By examining the study, the author concluded that emissions from herbal cigarettes are as harmful, or even more harmful, than emissions from conventional, tobacco-based cigarettes. In fact, some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-hindu-editorial"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13124"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13126,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13124\/revisions\/13126"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}