Anherbal cigarette (also called atobacco-free cigarette ornicotine-free cigarette) is acigarette that usually does not contain anytobacco ornicotine, instead being composed of a mixture of variousherbs and/or other plant material.[1] However, Chinese herbal cigarettes contain tobacco and nicotine with herbs added, unlike European and North American herbal cigarettes which have tobacco and nicotine omitted.[2] Likeherbal smokeless tobacco, they are often used as a substitute for standard tobacco products (primarily cigarettes).[citation needed] Herbal cigarettes are often advertised as asmoking cessation aid.[1][3] They are also used in acting scenes by performers who are non-smokers, or where anti-smoking legislation prohibits the use of tobacco in public spaces.[4][5] Herbal cigarettes can carrycarcinogens.
Herbal cigarettes are most often made using standard-issuerolling papers andcigarette filters, bundled together.
A wide range of consumable products may be used as a filling, in lieu of tobacco.Corn silk and a number of flavorful herbs, such asmint,cinnamon orlemongrass, have been utilized by a wide number of herbal cigarette producers.[6] Other manufacturers have included non-herbs likerose petals orclover leaves. Some use the flavorlessbagasse and make the herbal cigarette depend on the flavoring; this is especially common inshisha. Some are made with driedlettuce leaves or shreddedcabbage leaves.
Detailed below are some of the harmful substances found in herbal cigarettes:
Research shows that herbal cigarettes compared with regular cigarettes can be just as harmful in terms of thecarcinogens they contain.[3] Dr. John Moore-Gillan, chairman of the British Lung Foundation, states the addictive qualities to herbal cigarettes may be taken out, however other harmful elements remain.[1] A study on Chinese herbal cigarettes found they had about the same amount of carcinogens as regular cigarettes.[2] There are toxic components of the smoke of herbal cigarettes which are similar to regular cigarettes.[3] Aminobiphenyl can cause bladder cancer.[3] CO can be fatal in "high concentration of approximately 667 μg/mL."[3] CO can cause coronary artery disease as well.[3] Short term symptoms of CO include headaches, dizziness, irritability and difficulty breathing.[1]
The Chinese tobacco industry markets herbal cigarettes as having health benefits, yet scientific studies show there is no difference to peoples' health between Chinese herbal cigarette brands and regular cigarette brands.[2] Chinese cigarette brands are equally as addictive as regular cigarettes, although they are marketed as healthier.[2] Chinese herbal cigarettes are sold in Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Canada, and Taiwan.[2] People observed in a study showed they smoked more herbal cigarettes than regular cigarettes.[2] Herbal cigarettes started in the 1970s and became popular in the 1990s.[2] Two of the biggest herbal brands in China, Jinsheng and Wuyeshen, sold 1%, or 20 billion cigarettes, of all cigarettes sold in China in 2008.[2]
In South Korea regular cigarette prices have risen making herbal cigarettes a more popular smoking alternative.[3] Evidence shows that South Koreans choose to use herbal cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid.[3] Sales of herbal cigarettes increased by 118% in 2014.[3]
A study investigated smokers' perception on cigarette products thought of as "less harmful" than regular cigarettes. It found that 3.3% of respondents could name a brand of herbal cigarettes, which was higher than the 2.4% who could name a brand of nicotine replacement therapy.[7]
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Originating from the United Kingdom in 1947, the presumed[citation needed] oldest brand of herbal cigarettes are Honeyrose and Black Swan. They are currently sold worldwide.[8][9]
Honeyrose Products Limited was founded in May 1910 in London, United Kingdom. We were one of the first herbal cigarette manufacturers in the world and the only one in the United Kingdom and European Union.
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