From Tobacco to Herbal Smoking: Are Healthcare Professionals Ignoring a New Epidemic

Abstract

Tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge, contributing to millions of deaths annually and various chronic diseases. While global efforts are underway to reduce tobacco consumption through policy interventions, the popularity of alternative smoking products, particularly among youth, is on the rise. Herbal smoking products (HSPs) are increasingly marketed as safer, tobacco-free alternatives, yet evidence suggests that they may pose similar health risks to conventional tobacco. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding HSPs among healthcare undergraduate students in Central India, focusing on Ayurvedic, dental, and medical disciplines. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, we distributed a structured questionnaire to 424 students across three institutions. Our findings reveal alarming gaps in knowledge: only 42.3% of Ayurvedic students recognized the contents of HSPs, with medical students showing limited awareness of their carcinogenic potential. Attitudes varied significantly, with many Ayurvedic students falsely believing HSPs reduce cancer risk, while support for banning these products was stronger among medical students. Although regular use of HSPs was low, a concerning proportion had experimented with them, highlighting the need for targeted education. This study underscores the critical role healthcare professionals play in public health advocacy and the urgent need for comprehensive educational strategies to combat the misconceptions surrounding herbal smoking products, particularly among youth.