As EU tightens bans, tobacco giants launch South African tea-based alternatives to vaping

According to reuters.com 16, tobacco giants such as British American Tobacco have recently launched hot bars based on nicotine-rich substances such as Mama's Fruit Tea, in an effort to counter the EU's upcoming regulations banning flavored tobacco products. This innovative product not only provides smokers with a new way to ingest nicotine, but also raises concerns among experts about its safety. The tobacco industry hopes to attract more adult users to the "hot but not burning" sticks, avoiding a drop in demand for traditional cigarettes due to health factors and high taxes. However, researchers note that the potential health risks of tea inhalation are unclear. While diversification of alternatives is sought, strict regulation is imperative to ensure that these products do not entice more people to take up nicotine, especially teenagers.