Tobacco industry embraces rooibos tea as ban looms

Big Tobacco companies, including British American Tobacco (BAT), are turning to rooibos tea-infused heat sticks as a way to counter the upcoming European Union ban on flavored heated tobacco products. These "reduced risk" products, which are heated instead of burned, aim to provide an alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, health experts warn that the safety of inhaling rooibos tea is unclear, and the long-term health implications are unknown. While these zero-tobacco sticks currently enjoy regulatory advantages, stricter regulations targeting nicotine are expected in the future. Proper regulation is necessary to ensure these alternatives do not attract more people to consume nicotine.