Source: www.vancouverdesi.com Author: staff The country’s (India) first such study, using cohort groups, has proven conclusively that smoking bidi (tobacco wrapped in the leaf of the tendu plant) increases the propensity for cancer. P. Jayalekshmi of the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here, who led the study on bidi-induced lung, oral, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, said lung cancer risk among former bidi smokers was higher than in those who never smoked bidis. Separate studies on the impact of bidi smoking on lung and oral cancers, and cancers of larynx and hypopharynx in close to 70,000 men between the age group of 30-84 in Karunagappally in Kollam district shows that bidi is among the most harmful smoking products. “The risk of cancer affecting the cheek (buccal) and lips (labial) showed a nearly four-fold increase in the cohort study covering 66,277 men. “Excessive use of bidis significantly increased the risk associated with cancer of the gum and mouth,” Jayalekshmi 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 cigarette smokers in the same time, the study showed. 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 study showed that tongue cancer risk increased significantly among men who smoked bidis for 30 years or longer, and [...]