Bidi use increases Kerala’s most common cancer risks: Study

India’s first cohort studies have conclusively proven that bidi smoking presents a many fold increase in the incidence of Kerala’s most prevalent cancers among men.

Separate studies on the impact of bidi smoking on lung and oral cancers, and cancers of larynx and hypo pharynx in men between the age group of 30-84 in Karunagappally of Kollam district show that bidi – unfiltered tobacco flakes rolled in tendu leaf and tied with thread - is indeed among the most harmful smoking products.

The cohort study on bidi and lung cancer, covering a total of 65,829 men, found that bidi smokers had a 3.9-fold increase in lung cancer incidence when compared to those who never smoked bidis. The risk of cancers affecting the cheek (buccal) and lips (labial) showed a nearly four-fold increase in the cohort study covering 66,277 men.

Yet another painful group of cancers are those affecting the lower part of the throat including voice box, known as laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancers. Another cohort study conducted on 69,943 men, again in the 30-84 age group in Karunagappally, shows a significant relationship relation between bidi smoking and cancers affecting the larynx and hypo pharynx.

Dr P Jayalekshmi of Regional Cancer Centre and the principal author of the studies on bidi-induced lung, oral, laryngeal and hypo pharyngeal cancers said, “The mainstream smoke of bidi contains a much higher concentration of carcinogenic hydrocarbons. Bidi smokers also are found to be taking five puffs per minute compared to two puffs by cigarettes in the same time. All these contribute to increasing the carcinogenic nature of bidi smoke.”

The Karunagappally studies have also reiterated the common knowledge that bidi smoking is more widespread among those with lowers levels of education and lower family income. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2009-10) has it that 31.1 per cent of male bidi smokers in the country have no formal schooling while 19.7 per cent are self-employed. Bidi smokers in Kerala spend nearly Rs.140 monthly on this habit. 

Image courtesy Wikipedia