Beedi
From bidi, the
(Redirected from Bidi)
Jump to: navigation, search
"Bidi" redirects here. For information on bidirectional scripts like Arabic and
Hebrew, see Bi-directional text.
Taj bidi
A packet of Ganesh bidi.
Beedi brands.A beedi from Hindi also spelled bidi or biri) is a thin,
often flavoured, South Asian cigarette made of tobacco wrapped in a tendu (or
temburini; Diospyros melonoxylon) leaf, and secured with coloured thread at one
end. bidi, though smaller than regular cigarettes, produce three times more
carbon monoxide and nicotine, and five times more tar.[1] Tobacco content in
bidi is 10-20% and, unlike regular cigarettes, bidi do not contain added
chemicals.[citation needed] Like all tobacco products, use can cause various
cancers.
Beedi-rolling is a cottage industry in India and is typically done by women in
their homes. The process of rolling a beedi is similar to that of a handmade
cigarette. Beedis vary accordingly by their size. Beedi tobacco consists of
three different tobaccos; each has its own characteristic.The tobacco is brought
from different states and each has its own blend. For example, for a strong
tobacco flavor, tobacco from the state of Gujarat is preferred. For a more
mellow flavor tobacco from Nipani (karnataka)is suitable, and to help the
bidi retain the fire for longer CHOOR from Mysore is used. Once the bidi
are rolled they are kept in a specially designed oven to ensure good flavor and
to remove any moisture. Due to the relatively low cost of bidi compared to
regular cigarettes, they have long been popular among the poor in Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and India. In India, 850 billion are smoked every
year. bidi are available in many flavors (such as vanilla, strawberry,
chocolate, and mango). Their availability in Indian food markets is usually
under the authorities' radar, due to the markets' ethnic clientele and
ostensible focus on food, drink, and provisions (and omission of alcohol
products).[citation needed] A 1999 survey by San Francisco's Booker T Washington
Community Service Center reported that 58% of high school students in San
Francisco had tried bidi, and 31% smoked them at least once a month. Seventy
percent of packs purchased contained no warning labels, and about 40% did not
contain tax-paid stamps, contributing to their low cost.[2] Many students who
tried beedi believe it to be less harmful than a regular cigarette due to the
ease of inhalation and absence of warning labels.
bidi Bidi rolling
Most of the bidi rolling is carried by the women workers. The study carried by
Sanjay Swami et. al. revealed that, due to the tobacco handling , nicotine is
absorbed by nasopharingeal & Percutaneous routes. This causes highly elevated
level of nicotine. Nicotine being potent generator of free radicals causes many
health problems including cancer.[3][4]