Are These Cigarette "Alternatives" as Healthy as They Claim?

We've learned a lot about cigarettes since they made their way to the United States in the late 1800s. Most notably — they're detrimental to your health. Today, we know that roughly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States are caused by smoking. Because of this startling statistic, many people have chosen to replace cigarettes with these alternative smoking and tobacco products. But are they as healthy as they claim? Unfortunately, they’re not.

Hookahs

Hookahs have been marketed towards young people as a safe alternative to smoking because it primarily uses water. Unfortunately, these claims are false. The water in no way filters or eliminates the toxins found in hookah, like carbon monoxide, nicotine, tar, and types of heavy metals.

Hand-rolled Cigarettes

When compared to traditional cigarettes smokers, hand-rolled cigarette smokers have higher risks of several types of cancer, including cancer of the larynx (voice box), esophagus, mouth, and throat.

Herbal Cigarettes

Herbal cigarettes quickly got a reputation as a “healthy” cigarette, because they don’t contain any tobacco. But tobacco isn’t the only harmful ingredient in cigarettes. Just like traditional cigarettes, herbal cigarettes produce tar and carbon monoxide.

Menthol Cigarettes

Menthol cigarettes are especially popular among younger people and those new to smoking because they’re not as harsh as traditional cigarettes. Because of this, people who smoke menthols tend to take bigger puffs, smoke more often, and hold the smoke in their lungs longer than those who smoke traditional cigarettes — making them just as susceptible to certain types of mouth, throat, and lung cancers.

The Takeaway

The best way to protect your health is to not smoke cigarettes of any kind or to quit if you already do. The American Cancer Society provides several methods and tips to help people quit smoking.

Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center. located in Orlando, FL, is an otolaryngology and facial plastics practice committed to providing our patients with the highest quality and personal care, as well as most advanced technology by a Harvard trained, double boarded facial plastic and head and neck surgeon.