What Are Herbal Cigarettes?

Herbal cigarettes take the same form as standard cigarettes but, as an alternative, do not contain tobacco or nicotine. Instead, they include a blend of herbs with different flavors to accommodate the preferences of individual smokers. Herbal cigarettes are used to meet the needs of those trying to quit their regular smoking habits and still allow for the feel of holding something between the fingers and lighting up, giving them a slight advantage over other cessation methods like the patch or gum.

History

• At first, herbal cigarettes were not offered in a variety of flavors and were viewed as a novelty item and stocked among the shelves with candy cigarettes and incense holders.

Types

• Some of the common herbs mixed together to create herbal cigarettes include rose, red clover, marshmallow plant, honey, jasmine, mint, ginseng and vanilla.

Benefits

• Herbal cigarettes do not produce a form of nicotine dependence for those who smoke them.

Misconceptions

• Although the ingredients in herbal cigarettes can also be found in health food stores, using them in this form deems them unhealthy. Once ignited, the herbs produce the carbon monoxide and tar found in tobacco cigarettes.

Warning

• Even though there is no tobacco or nicotine in them, herbal cigarettes still cause the smoker to inhale smoke, putting them in danger of lung cancer and heart problems.