Tea and cigarettes — a combination that seems to bring instant relaxation — have become an everyday ritual for millions of people worldwide, including in Pakistan.

Particularly popular among young adults, this habit is often seen as a way to relieve stress. However, medical experts caution that it’s a dangerously deadly mix.

According to health experts, combining tea and smoking cigarettes can lead to severe health problems over time, including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. A study published in 2023 by the Annals of Internal Medicine highlighted that drinking scalding hot tea damages the cells lining the food pipe (oesophagus). When this is combined with cigarette smoking, the risk of oesophageal cancer doubles.

Tea contains caffeine, which stimulates the production of stomach acid, aiding digestion. But when consumed excessively, it can damage the stomach lining. On the other hand, nicotine in cigarettes, when consumed on an empty stomach alongside tea, can trigger intense headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Doctors warn that smoking increases the risk of heart attacks by 7% and can shorten life expectancy by up to 20 years. Moreover, inhaling hot tea vapours mixed with tobacco smoke severely damages the lungs.

Other health risks associated with the tea-cigarette combo include:

Increased risk of heart disease
Oesophagal and throat cancers
Lung cancer
Impotence and infertility
Stomach ulcers
Memory loss
Brain and heart strokes
Reduced lifespan

Experts believe that many people turn to smoking as a source of relaxation or comfort. Once addicted, it’s challenging to quit, as nicotine causes the brain to release chemicals that temporarily boost alertness and calmness.

Despite appearing as a simple pleasure, the tea and cigarette habit is a silent killer. Health professionals urge people to reconsider this habit, as the short-term comfort it provides comes at the cost of long-term, life-threatening consequences.