Herbal cigarette

Cigarette containing herbs in lieu of tobacco

Herbal cigarettes (also called tobacco free cigarettes or nicotine free cigarettes) are cigarettes that usually do not contain any tobacco or nicotine, instead being composed of a mixture of various herbs and/or other plant material. However, Chinese herbal cigarettes contain tobacco and nicotine with herbs added, unlike European and North American herbal cigarettes which have tobacco and nicotine omitted. Like herbal smokeless tobacco, they are often used as a substitute for standard tobacco products (primarily cigarettes). Herbal cigarettes are often advertised as a smoking cessation aid. 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. Herbal cigarettes can carry carcinogens.

Herbal cigarettes are most often made using standard issue rolling papers and cigarette 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 as mint, cinnamon or lemongrass, have been utilized by a wide number of herbal cigarette producers. Other manufacturers have included non herbs like rose petals or clover leaves. Some use the flavorless bagasse and make the herbal cigarette depend on the flavoring; this is especially common in shisha. Some are made with dried lettuce leaves or shredded cabbage leaves.

Originating from the United Kingdom in 1947, the presumed oldest brand of herbal cigarettes are Honeyrose and Black Swan. They are currently sold worldwide.