Desperate for cigarettes and tobacco, some South African smokers have turned to smoking tea, with mixed results.

It has been illegal to buy and sell cigarettes since the start of the national lockdown, on 27 March.

Professor Keertan Dheda, director of the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity and head of the division of pulmonology at the University of Cape Town, says he is not aware of research studies that examined the safety of smoking rooibos tea.

“However, smoking tea will result in the inhalation of several substances, including caffeine and particulate matter, which is likely to be harmful in the long run.  Chronic inhalation of particulate matter is often associated with subversion of immune responses and structural lung damage and therefore, as a general rule, I would advise against it."

Studies are required to explore this further and unequivocally demonstrate the dangers of smoking tea leaves.

He says that various other substances (including nicotine products) are often shredded and mixed with tea leaves to gain the effect of nicotine.  One study showed that this could release a number of harmful substances and toxins including formaldehyde.

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SANHA Comments:
Islām forbids intentional harm to the body. While jurists have differed on ruling cigarettes as Makrūh (disliked) or Harām (outright forbidden), its harms are not disputed. Caution in regards smoking teas would also be advised in light of the Professor’s advice. SANHA currently certifies the following teas and coffees for drinking and other wholesome purposes: