Think 'chai-sutta' breaks are harmless? Here's how tea and cigarettes together can severely damage your body

Many food and drink combinations can enhance flavour or boost nutrition, but some pairings are surprisingly harmful. A particularly risky habit is the combination of tea and cigarettes, popularly known in India as “chai-sutta.” This pairing is often used by young adults to relieve stress, increase alertness, or create a temporary sense of relaxation and social bonding. However, medical experts warn that it can have serious short- and long-term consequences. Hot tea can damage the cells lining the oesophagus, while nicotine and toxic chemicals in cigarettes amplify this harm, significantly increasing the risk of cancers, heart disease, and lung problems. Habitual consumption can also lead to dizziness, headaches, reduced life expectancy, and lasting damage to multiple vital organs.

How tea and smoking affect your body: Caffeine, nicotine, and health risks

Tea is a popular beverage worldwide, largely due to its stimulating properties from caffeine. In moderation, tea can aid digestion, improve focus, and provide antioxidants that support overall health. However, consuming very hot tea—particularly on an empty stomach—can irritate the lining of the stomach and oesophagus.
Video
Caffeine in tea triggers the production of gastric acid. While this can help break down food, excessive acid can erode the stomach lining, causing discomfort, acidity, and even ulcers over time. When combined with smoking, the risk is magnified because the oesophageal and digestive cells are already vulnerable.Cigarettes contain nicotine along with thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic. Smoking affects nearly every organ in the body, from the lungs to the heart to the skin, and it also alters DNA and blood chemistry.

The study titled "Hot Tea Consumption and Its Interactions With Alcohol and Tobacco Use on the Risk for Esophageal Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study" was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2018. Conducted in China, it analyzed data from over 456,000 participants aged 30 to 79 over a period of more than nine years. The research aimed to assess the combined effects of hot tea consumption, alcohol, and tobacco use on the risk of esophageal cancer.


Immediate and long-term health risks of smoking

However, the harmful effects begin immediately. The toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke damage blood vessels, the heart, lungs, and even brain function. Regular smoking increases the likelihood of:

• Heart disease and high blood pressure
• Lung cancer and chronic respiratory conditions
• Throat and oesophageal cancers
• Impotence and fertility problems
• Ulcers on hands, feet, and digestive organs
• Memory loss and increased risk of strokes

Why tea and cigarettes together are even worse

Individually, tea and cigarettes carry risks, but combining them multiplies the harm. Drinking very hot tea can damage oesophageal cells, and smoking simultaneously increases the stress on these cells, doubling the risk of oesophageal cancer over time.

Moreover, tea stimulates acid production in the stomach, while nicotine constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate. This combination can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea, particularly when consumed on an empty stomach. Long-term effects also include reduced lung function and a higher likelihood of developing lung cancer and heart disease.


Health risks of consuming tea and cigarettes together

The health risks of consuming tea and cigarettes together are both acute and chronic. In the short term, this habit can cause:

• Severe headaches and dizziness
• Nausea and upset stomach
• Increased heart rate and palpitations
• Over the long term, habitual chai-sutta consumption can lead to:
• Chronic heart disease
• Lung cancer and respiratory disorders
• Throat and oesophageal cancer
• Reduced life expectancy by up to two decades
• Impotence and fertility issues
• Brain and heart strokes
• Memory impairment

Understanding nicotine addiction and habit formation

Most people start smoking because of stress relief, social influence, or curiosity. Nicotine addiction develops quickly because the brain craves dopamine, a chemical released during smoking that creates a sense of pleasure.

This chemical dependency makes quitting extremely difficult, even when the smoker is aware of the health risks. Smoking often becomes routine, linked to daily activities such as drinking tea, socialising, or working. Even a single cigarette releases thousands of harmful chemicals, starting the process of damage immediately.


Healthier alternatives to tea and cigarettes

For those looking to reduce stress without harming their body, there are safer alternatives:

• Herbal teas or green tea without caffeine
• Mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga
• Regular physical exercise
• Socialising without smoking
• Consuming nutrient-rich snacks to replace the oral habit

Avoiding the chai-sutta habit can dramatically reduce the risk of life-threatening diseases while improving overall quality of life.




Also Read | Chia seeds for 14 days can completely transform your gut and heart health; here’s what AIIMS gastroenterologist says