| Public officials in Washington state
are looking at ways to address the hazardous effects of herbal
cigarettes, the Seattle
Post-Intelligencer reported Feb. 19.
Herbal cigarettes, which are commonly made of jasmine, ginseng,
passion flower, clove, turmeric, or catnip, are not restricted by
tobacco laws in terms of who may purchase them.
Although herbal cigarettes contain no tobacco, health officials
say they are still hazardous. Usually they contain more tar and
other substances that can cause cancer, emphysema and heart
trouble.
Officials are concerned that manufacturers of herbal cigarettes
are specifically targeting young people with their product and
misleading them into thinking that the cigarettes are less risky
than smoking tobacco.
"With youth, you're concerned that these herbal cigarettes
will initiate them into smoking tobacco cigarettes later,"
said Dr. Alonzo Plough, director of public health for Seattle and
King County.
To address the issue, state Rep. Jeanne Edwards (D-Bothell)
plans on introducing a bill that would include herbal cigarettes
under the same age-related restrictions governing tobacco.
"It's clear the companies producing these are trying to
lure kids," Edwards said. "I was just dumbfounded to
learn that children can buy these items in grocery or convenience
stores. It's crazy."
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