Are herbal vapes healthier?

Hannah Millington
Updated
Woman with vapes. (Getty Images)
Have you considered switching to herbal vapes? (Getty Images)

With the UK looking to enforce stricter regulation on the sale and marketing of vapes to address question marks over their safety and help protect young people, there has been a rise in herbal vapes.

"The rise of herbal vapes in the UK reflects a growing interest in alternative wellness practices and a desire to move away from nicotine addiction," says Salman Essap, founder of Vape and Go.

"The proportion of adults in the UK reporting long term vaping increased from 1.3% in October 2013 to 10.0% in October 2023, with a particularly pronounced rise from 2021 – an increase which may signal an increased demand for alternative vaping products."

But are herbal alternatives to traditional nicotine-based e-cigarettes really healthier? Here we consult the experts at Vape and Go, who have examined the rise in their use, as well as contributing medical expert at UK Care Guide and retired GP Dr. Lawrence Cunningham.

Man vaping
There has been a rise in interest over herbal vapes in the UK. (Getty Images) (danchooalex via Getty Images)

Herbal vape products include disposable pens, refillable cartridges and loose-leaf vaporisers.

"While the long-term health implications still remain unclear, preliminary research suggests potential benefits from certain herbal ingredients and can be viewed as another positive step forward in regard to discovering healthier alternatives to smoking," says Essap.

"These devices heat dried herbs, flowers, or essential oils to produce vapour that not only offers a potentially less harmful way of vaping, but in some cases may also contribute to improved sleep or lower stress [sometimes containing ingredients like chamomile, lavender and melatonin]," the experts in his team claim.

"One of the main attractions of herbal vapes is the absence of nicotine, a highly addictive substance that poses significant health risks. Obviously, for those wishing to quit smoking, nicotine vapes are often the best solution as they allow someone to taper their addiction gradually, but for those who want to vape for other reasons and are looking to avoid nicotine altogether, herbal vapes offer an alternative."

While the government has said vapes are substantially less harmful than smoking because they don't contain tobacco and can therefore be effective in helping people quit smoking, it has also warned: "Due to nicotine content and the unknown long-term harms, vaping carries risk of harm and addiction for children. The health advice is clear: young people and those who have never smoked should not vape."

Doctor discussing with man over digital tablet. Young male is visiting healthcare worker in clinic. They are sitting at desk.
Consult a professional about areas of your health you're not sure about. (Getty Images) (Morsa Images via Getty Images)

"While herbal vapes are often marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional e-cigarettes, it is important to do your research first, ensure that you are purchasing a high-quality product and remember they may not be entirely risk-free. It's also important to identify what benefits you are looking to gain from using a herbal vape and consult your GP if you have any concerns," say the experts at Vape and Go.

"As with all vaping products, further long-term research is needed to determine their lasting health effects and ensure that consumers have access to safe and high-quality products.

Dr. Cunningham says, "In my experience, the perception that herbal vapes are inherently healthier than traditional nicotine-based e-cigarettes is somewhat misleading. While it's true that herbal vapes do not usually contain nicotine, which is known to be highly addictive, this does not mean they are without risks."

For him, the primary concern revolves around the chemicals involved. "Both herbal and nicotine-based vapes typically utilise a heating mechanism to vaporise substances for inhalation. This process can produce harmful byproducts. For instance, I've seen some studies have indicated that the heating elements in all types of vapes can release metals and other potentially harmful substances into the vapour."

Boy holding vapes
Young people have been illegally purchasing vapes from local shops. (Getty Images) (Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

"In the UK, herbal vapes can be sold and used legally if they do not contain nicotine or any other controlled substances. However, the industry is still relatively young, and there is limited research on the long-term health effects of herbal vaping," the Vape and Go experts acknowledge.

"This lack of scientific evidence surrounding herbal vapes has led to calls for stricter regulations, particularly regarding the quality and safety of these products. The UK government has indicated its intention to review the existing regulations to ensure consumer safety and prevent the sale of potentially harmful products."

They say better understanding and information will help consumers to make more informed decisions about their health and regulators should adopt better policies.

Dr Cunningham agrees the ingredients used in herbal vapes can vary widely and are not always well-regulated. "I've seen cases where herbal vapes contained substances that, when heated, generated toxic compounds. For example, certain flavouring agents and other additives can break down into harmful chemicals when exposed to high temperatures."

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 says it will create the first ever smokefree generation with just two examples of measures being:

  • making it an offence to sell tobacco products to those born on or after 1 January 2009, thereby phasing out the sale of tobacco products, while not stopping anyone who currently legally smokes from being able to do so

  • making it an offence to sell non-nicotine vaping products to someone who is under 18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Scotland already has this in place)

The Bill's factsheet states, "Herbal smoking products are included because they contain cancer-causing chemicals, tar and carbon monoxide similar to a tobacco cigarette."

In July, the Labour government revived plans to introduce the Bill.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cunningham concludes, "From a personal perspective, I always recommend caution when it comes to inhaling any kind of vapour. The long-term health effects of vaping, whether herbal or nicotine-based, are still not fully understood. Just because a product is marketed as 'herbal' or 'natural' does not necessarily make it safe."

  

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