The dangers of cigarettes are widely known. They can lead to lung disease, breathing ailments, heart problems and a host of other health issues. This is true for smokers as well as non-smokers who inadvertently inhale second-hand smoke. These recognized hazards are associated with regular cigarettes, which may cause you to wonder if the same dangers exist in other tobacco products, such as clove cigarettes. The answer is yes. In fact, cloves present additional dangers.
More Dangerous than Regular Cigarettes
According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, clove cigarettes are even more dangerous than regular cigarettes. They contain twice the amount of harmful chemicals and additives such as tar, nicotine and carbon dioxide. (See References 1)
Pulmonary Edema and Other Eugenol-Related Problems
Clove cigarettes contain a dangerous ingredient called eugenol. According to Dr. Frederick Schecter, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, eugenol inhaled from cloves can cause pulmonary edema, hemoptysis and bronchospasm. Pulmonary edema is a dangerous condition in which the lungs fill with blood, hemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood and bronchospasm is constriction of airways. All of these conditions are quite serious and potentially life threatening. Eugenol also has a anesthetic effect. It can cause choking or breathing problems due this numbing quality. (See References 1 and 3)
Lung Infections
During an interview with Chris Woolson, M.S., John Banzhaf, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health, stated that the inhalation of clove oil can cause lung infections such as bronchitis and pnuemonia. Any sort of inhaled liquid or oil can settle into the lungs and create serious breathing issues or infections. (See References 2)
Far from a Healthy Alternative
Among all of these hazards related specifically to clove cigarettes, they still carry the same known health risks as regular cigarettes, such as lung cancer and heart disease. Young people who think smoking is hip turn to cloves due to the misconception that they are safer than regular cigarettes. You should educate yourself and your children on the life-threatening dangers associated with clove cigarettes, regular cigarettes and all other tobacco products.
Quitting Smoking
While you may know the dangers of smoking, quitting can prove difficult. Rest assured, assistance is available. Over-the-counter stop smoking aids, medications and therapy are among the accessible options. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking. She will help you develop a plan of action that you can follow.
