Bidis

Bidis or Beedis
Bidis are slim, hand-rolled, unfiltered cigarettes. Due to the relatively low combustibility and non-porous nature of the leaves, it requires more frequent and deeper puffs by the smoker to keep the bidis lit. As a result, it is harder on the smoker’s lungs than cigarettes rolled in paper.Studies have shown that bidis produced 3 times the amount of carbon monoxide and nicotine and approximately five times the amount of tar as cigarettes.
Health risks:
- Bidi smoking increases the risk for oral, lung, stomach, and esophageal cancer.
- Bidi smokers are three times more likely to suffer from a coronary heart disease and a heart attack than a non-smoker.
- Bidi smoking is associated with emphysema.
- There is nearly a fourfold increase risk for chronic bronchitis for bidi smokers.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/bidis_kreteks/index.htm
http://www.who.int/tobacco/publications/prod_regulation/bidi_smoking_public_health.pdf?ua=1
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